Last night’s Vancouver Winter Olympics beat out American Idol in the ratings race. I’m not surprised. Idol Thursday results shows are historically low rated. via The Live Feed
Fox’s first Thursday “American Idol” results show hit a season low Thursday night, with NBC’s Winter Olympics telecast taking the lead for the second time this year among total viewers.
NBC’s Vancouver Games coverage drew 22.9 million viewers, which was down 12% in viewers from the same night in Torino in 2006. “Idol” (17.8 million viewers, 6.4 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) delivered the reality titan’s lowest-rated episode of the season while continuing to reign in the adult demo, beating the Games by 45%.
“I never thought we would have the good fortune to beat the incredibly well-produced and enduring phenomenon of ‘American Idol’ even once, ” said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports and Olympics. “But twice? At best, I deeply believed we might come a little closer than we did four years ago, because the show is such a powerhouse.
