American Idol wasn’t going out with rating numbers close to its television heyday, but it didn’t leave the airwaves with a whimper either. via THR
The Fox series hit a season high for its two-hour swan song, with a 3.0 rating among adults 18-49 and 12.94 million viewers.
Among total viewers, it was more than a two-year high for Idol and its most-watched finale since 2013. In the key demographic, the episode settled for tying its January season premiere.
The 15th and final season of American Idol — at least in this iteration — ended up being a more consistent ratings performer than the previous one. With a shorter run, it maintained solid numbers during live episodes — where it catered last cycle, likely one of the reasons why Fox ordered fewer episodes this go around. Compared among adults 18-49 and 8 million viewers
I agree that shortening the final round was a smart thing for FOX to do. Fans hated that the round was truncated. I hated it. But I also get it. Watching American Idol nosedive during those last weeks of the lives, beginning after the top 12, was painful. I suspect FOX is pretty happy they brought the show back for one last hurrah, rather than cancelling it outright last year. The series also outperformed the rest of the FOX slate, except for Empire. Idol leaving Wednesday nights, for instance, left a noticeable hole in the schedule until Empire returned from winter hiatus.
Check back later for the full chart. Also, Idol ran 6 minutes into the 10 pm hour. Expect an adjustment.
Chart via TVByTheNumbers
Although Big Bang Theory had slightly more viewers, the two shows TIED in the key demo! Idol COULD surpass them when the final ratings come out this afternoon. CBS had dramatic drops vs last week.
8 p.m.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 3.0/11 13.24
American Idol (FOX) (8-10 p.m.) – Series finale 3.0/10 12.94
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 2.1/8 7.30
Little Big Shots (NBC) – R 0.8/3 4.55
Legends of Tomorrow (The CW) 0.7/3 2.03
8:30 p.m.
The Odd Couple (CBS) – P 1.6/5 7.82
9 p.m. Scandal (ABC) 1.7/6 5.90
Mom (CBS) 1.5/5 7.30
The Blacklist (NBC) 1.2/4 6.24
The 100 (The CW) 0.5/2 1.27
9:30 p.m.
2 Broke Girls (CBS) 1.4/5 5.89
10 p.m.
The Catch (ABC) 1.1/4 4.89
Rush Hour (CBS) 0.9/3 4.83
Law & Order: SVU (NBC) – R 0.8/3 3.85
