The Hollywood Reporter analyzes the 2011-2012 ratings of the three competition reality shows, American Idol, The Voice and X Factor. Idol is still king, but can the 11 year old show stay on top? Via The Hollywood Reporter
Three years after its 2007 peak, American Idol’s first season with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler opened to 26.3 million viewers and a 9.8 rating with adults 18-49, respective 13 and 15 percent drops from the year before. And last year’s American Idol opener suffered more significant drops — 17 percent in viewers and 25 percent in the demo — for an opener of 21.9 million and a 7.4 rating.
The Voice seems to be the darling of the genre since premiering in 2011, but as the below graph illustrates, American Idol has thus far kept its head well above the ratings watermark set by its closest competition. The recent opening month of The Voice averaged more than 6.5 million viewers and nearly two demo ratings points shy of American Idol’s average last January.
Wednesday’s American Idol premiere would have to shed 44 percent of last premiere’s showing just to tie September’s Voice opener — but is that even out of the question at this point?
Check out the Handy Dandy info graphic below. Click to enlarge.
