The trifecta of U.S. gold-medaist Olympics Studs Lindsey Vonn, Shani Davis, and Shaun White stunned Fox’s American Idol into submission Wednesday night. NBC’s three-hour-long coverage of the Vancouver Winter Games gained a stunning near-9 million viewers over its Tuesday night telecast, which was largely comprised of men’s figure skating. Breaking [bones]: People like seeing skiers crash. It should also be noted that Life Unexpected‘s viewership of 1.3 million was a decent turnout for any CW airing, let alone a repeat.
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 p.m. | 2010 Winter Olympics (NBC) Human Target (Fox) Modern Family (ABC) The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) Life Unexpected (The CW) |
29.3 7.1 5.1 (repeat) 4.9 (repeat) 1.3 (repeat) |
| 8:30 | The Middle (ABC) Gary Unmarried (CBS) |
4.7 (repeat) 4.4 (repeat) |
| 9:00 | American Idol (Fox) Criminal Minds (CBS) Modern Family (ABC) Gossip Girl (The CW) |
18.4 8.0 (repeat) 4.4 (repeat) 0.6 (repeat) |
| 10:00 | CSI: NY (CBS) Cougar Town (ABC) |
8.0 (repeat) 3.1 (repeat) |
| 10:30 | Cougar Town (ABC) | 2.7 (repeat) |
Source: Nielsen
Update: According to a statement issued by NBC, Wednesday night’s win over American Idol marked the first time Idol has not won against competition in average viewership and Adults 18-49 since May 17, 2004. From 9-10 p.m., the Olympics out-rated Idol by 63 percent among households and 30 percent amoung Adults 18-49. NBC’s Wednesday viewership of nearly 30 million is up 48 percent from the same day during the 2006 Winter Games in Torino.
Read more:
‘American Idol’ recap: Twenty-four on the Floor!
Olympic Studs of the Day: Lindsey Vonn, Shani Davis, Shaun White
Watching Women’s Downhill Skiing Finals: So Cruel!
wow the olympics totally beasted on AI
It would’ve been sad if AI garnered more viewership than the Winter Olympics.
Wow, American Idol had like a 200+ show winning streak going
I’m going to talk to the producers of the show. I’ll tell them to get out of their seats so I can sit there, then I’ll them that it’s okay, life goes on, and that they are soooooo talented.
*punches air, does a victory dance*
This a great news!! American Idol is complete garbage!!! I cant wait till it’s off the air!
blame it on idol .. with the dreadful tues nite show. i watched the olympics and recorded idol for future/never viewing since the top 24 was revealed on blogs weeks ago. Congrads to TEAM USA for a great nite of competition.
it’s congrats.
Let’s hope they actually renew Life Unexpected though CW doesn’t have the best track record.
Agreed! Love this show and it’s the first new show from the CW that I have actually watched.
Last night had some very exciting Olympic events. Glad people tuned in!
well it is the most boring episode of american idol, since its only the part where they show old clips that we have already seen and who goes through to next week. Therefore I watched the much more exciting Olympics instead!
No kidding the Olympics beat American Idol. Who was on the Olympics last night? That’s right Vonn and White, arguably america’s 2 biggest stars in these games and yet it’s a shocker when they finally beat AI.
I’d put Ohno and Jacobellis up there too. Too bad Jacobellis missed out again.
yeah. I wanted to watch Ohno and Celski last night, too.
Yeah!!! I am so happy something beat out American Idol…that show is such crap.
Once you started watching the Olympics at 8, you weren’t going to switch at 9…
Thrilled. These have been an enjoyable Olympics
I’m an American Idol fan but last night the Olympics were just awesome to watch. I know nothing about skiing or snowboarding but Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White were unfreakingbelievable to watch! I can’t stand up on skis or skates so all of these sports just impress the crap out of me. Don’t be too overjoyed though. The Olympics will be over soon and AI will take back the ratings since they will actually be singing starting next week.