Ratings: ‘American Idol’ season 12 premiere down from 2012; but by how much?
Since we realize that for one reason or another, everyone loves to hear about the ratings for “American Idol,” we’re going to present a much earlier take on the show’s ratings than we do for most other shows on the schedule. In other words, be sure to keep checking back to this article, since we will update it as some more numbers come in later on throughout the date.
What we can tell you for now is this: despite the hype and the presence of Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, and Nicki Minaj as judges, the show’s season 12 premiere on Wednesday was down 13% from last year’s launch just when it comes to the metered-market ratings. It has a household rating of 11.7 and an 18% share on the night, which are still very impressive numbers; however, it is a surefire sign that this is not the ratings machine that it once was.
Even with that being said, however, this is actually less of a drop than many predicted, and it means that some of the people who tuned out on season 11 managed to tune back in. Considering that the drop between seasons 10 and 11 was over 20% as a whole, this is a far better percentage. The real question now is just how many people are going to continue watching from here on out: Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey figure to be polarizing, and in a few weeks the show will have to face new episodes of “The Big Bang Theory,” which defeated it routinely last year.
Stay tuned, as much of this information could change once we have the official viewing figures in the 18-49 demographic, which are by many estimation what really matters when it comes to the show. Of course, also be sure to head on over to the link here to read our full review of the premiere.
Photo: Fox
ReasonableAdamFan
January 22, 2013 @ 11:40 am
OMG I see some Adam fans going all around the net bashing Idol b/c of the judging situation. I am a hard-core Adam fan too and if it had not been for me being a die-hard American Idol fan I would have never found Adam. Adam isn’t childishly boycotting the show and I think it is wrong for his “fans” to go around posting notes such as the one above from ‘Baubles’ making it sound like Adam has some rift with Idol because he wasn’t chosen as a judge. It’s just not true. I’m not crazy about the NM/MC situation but I personally find the judges of all these type shows annoying at some point or another and so what if they have personal projects to promote and use their position as a judge on the show as a platform? I guarantee you if Adam WERE a judge and promoted a new single or music video his fans wouldn’t have a problem with it. Some people are just hypocrites but as Adam has always said these shows are ultimately about the contestants, not the judges. I think it’s too soon to make any kind of informed assessment of Season 12 yet since we’re only 2 episodes in. Nobody really is invested in the audition phase of the show anyway. Most people don’t get invested in a contestant until Hollywood week or later. So if you “can’t bring yourself” to watch the show then that is your own choice but don’t drag Adam into it. (and JSYK I have watched Idol since the beginning and always had a contestant that I chose to support and voted religiously up through Adam’s season. I quit voting after Season 8 (was DEVASTATED that he didn’t win) but I still enjoy watching the show) even though I enjoy even more being a Glambert and supporting Adam’s post-Idol career. it’s just a TV show for us Glamberts now and as Adam says “It ain’t that deep”..
Onanomys
January 19, 2013 @ 11:20 pm
Kez Ban will boost the ratings, have no fear.
barbls
January 19, 2013 @ 12:12 pm
The judges chemistry is terrible and boring! Two divas are two too much! NM is just plain annoying. Her mannerisms, facial expressions and attitude are just offputting! Mariah is so self absorbed! You just get the feeling they are there for themselves and not the contestants. Keith is nice and cute, but being part of this panel, he lends nothing. Lost respect for Randy last season. He is was a tool for the producers and knowing he is Mariah’s Manager makes him being on this panel so wrong. The contestants so far are just underwhelming! Am just watching videos of it! Cannot bring myself to watch whole show!
Baubles
January 17, 2013 @ 10:37 am
what I’ve seen so far 1st night, Idol is in store for a snorefest. I know these early weeks they show the bad too, but what those judges were sending through were medioce to mundane. Didn’t tune in for the judge drama either. In fact, to be honest, as a hardcore Adam Lambert fan I was miffed they dragged out his name as a possible judge to the end, then plopped Randy’s a– back in a seat, as if bringing on NM wasn’t bad enough. I know a huge # of Adam’s fanbase swore off Idol ever more. If they used him for pre-hype, they didn’t do themselves any favor of dismissing large # of die-hard Idol viewers in hope of bringing on a new and larger demographic. Curiosity got the best of me this week, but I know Idol won’t be must see TV for me this season.