American Idol’s ratings have dipped sharply this year, but that does not mean the 11 year old reality singing competition isn’t continuing to rake in the cash.
Idol is number #1 on the Forbes list of TV’s Biggest Moneymakers, with X Factor right behind it.
Idol raked in $6.64 million in ad revenue every half hour in 2011. That’s down 6% from the previous year. X-Factor brought in $5.55 million per half hour. But remember, X Factor’s ad rates were determined on expectations from ad buyers that the show would bring in higher ratings than it eventually did. (Remember Simon Cowell’s smug 20m viewers?)
Glee comes in4th and with $2.83 million per half hour. Dancing with the Stars is at number 6 with $2.72 million per half hour.
See the full list at Forbes.Com
Here’s the list:
1. American Idol 6.64m
2. X Factor 5.55m
3. Two and a Half Men 3.24m
4. Glee 2.83 m
5. Grey’s Anatomy 2.75m
6. Dancing with the Stars 2.72m
7. Desperate Housewives 2.61m
8. The Big Bang Theory 2.57m
9. Mad Love 2.49m
10. Modern Family 2.13m