Most importantly, Ad revenues for Idol were way up.

I’m not sure this is true.

Eta: YEP. Not true.

American Idol, the country’s most-popular show, earned less than it did the previous year from advertisements, but still an impressive amount in a recession and more than any other series.

In a story about the judges’ contract negotiations, The Los Angeles Times reports that the series ‘took in almost $850 million in advertising revenue last season, more than any other television show, despite the weak economy.’  In 2008, American Idol 7, however, ‘generated $903.3 million in advertising.’ 

Also last season, the show ‘averaged 26.6 million viewers per episode, and advertisers shelled out more than $700,000 for a 30-second commercial,’  the paper reports, citing TNS Media Intelligence.

http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_8/2009_Jul_27_ads_contract_negotiations

Assuming that Adam Lambert’s post Idol output will transcend the usual pop cliches ground out by the 19E sausage factory is wishful thinking to the extreme.

I don’t recall saying anything like that. I’m thinking that Lambert will probably have the most mainstream pop CD in Idol history, or at least rivalling Kelly Clarkson for that honor.

Best AI: I don’t like to refer to the same numbers over and over again, but Season 8 didn’t exactly kill in the ratings department. THere were 10 million less people watching the finale than last year.
Adam has a large following for the Internet, where ten thousands of rabid fans is enough to spam any poll or any comment section. But it’s not enough for prime time, major network television, so until we see the actual numbers of Adam’s appearance on late night show, I would keep myself from statements like Adam=ratings.

I don’t know if the Finale viewship has anything to do with interest in watching Idol finalists on talk shows. If it is, they Clay should have his own talkshow!!

The 2009 Finale hit 43 million for the last 7 minutes (overrun 10:00-10:07PM) — not included in the overnight averages that were initially reported. The final average number was 28.8 million — not great — but the last 7 minutes viewership was quite high. The high last 7 minute peak could mean that in 2009, the TV viewer competition for the first 2 hours was tougher and/or some people were not interested in watching this Idol variety show one more year and just wanted to see the end.

When the final average rating numbers were tallied up, AI8 finale was the second lowest rated in Idol finale. But the match-up between Cook and Archuleta wasn’t 10 million higher:

2009 Kris and Adam: 28.8 million
2006 David vs David: 31.7 million
2007 Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis: 30.7 million.
2006 Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee: 36.4 million (#2 viewship)
2003 Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken: 38.1 million (best ever)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/05/american-ido-20.html

The drop was about the same as network TV viewship in total. Most importantly, Ad revenues for Idol were way up.

I have to run off to a meeting now.

Ooh, MJ put up a new headlines thread! I’ll bring the cake and beverages with me.

I will try the conversion methods, guys, but I suck at this. Can you come over and do it for me?

Over and out to new Headlines thread. Wonder if we can get to 600 posts on that one, too?

Also: I just downloaded and installed Firefox as an alternate web browser and used their plugin to download YouTubes for the first time the other day. Haven’t played the vids back to see the quality yet, but I’ve been very happy with the Applian technologies products I listed above. Hope it helps.

terraj
September 23, 2009 at 10:21 am
@Sunn Lol sorry BB, my standards for good audio aren’t that high perhaps. You’re speaking to an ex-Led Zeppelin concert bootleg collector whose used to listening to shitty quality 2-3 hour concerts. My idea of good audio = minimal distortion, clear vocals (for Adam’s case; instrumentals in LZ’s case since I was a Jimmy Page stan).

It’s my own shortcoming, I have a tendency to make the perfect the enemy of the good. I’ll take another swipe at the audio rip.

You are a Libra! Libras are great people

in a whisper: “I am a Libra, too

Mary102
September 23, 2009 at 10:13 am
Good day webamily!

LOL, Sunn! I love that name ‘“ is it sad to admit that, due to very limited human interaction at my day job, you guys are often my best source of actual social contact during the day.

Not at all sad. I’m flattered, thank you.
(My impression of sad behaviour) YAY! Did I just coin a term? Flailing

You’re welcome dhunkin, terraj.

The new Starlight vid, unfortunately, makes a poor audio for me. If anyone is able to clean it up, I’d appreciate it.

Good day webamily!

LOL, Sunn! I love that name – is it sad to admit that, due to very limited human interaction at my day job, you guys are often my best source of actual social contact during the day. This and ordering my daily coffee at McDonalds. Kinda sad. But you guys are all so awesome! (and wish I could listen to the Mika link at work May have to sneak in the earphones when no ones around…)