The season finale of American Idol averaged 23.2 million total viewers, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers. The audience for the live telecast, which crowned Lee DeWyze while also bidding a fond farewell to judge Simon Cowell, grew steadily over the two hours: At 8 p.m., 18.4 million were watching; at 8:30 p.m., 21.1 million; at 9 p.m., 24.3 million; and in the last half hour, 28.8 million. Still, even with Fox’s “time-zone adjusted” overnights from Nielsen — which raise the evening’s average to 24.2 million viewers — it’s the lowest-rated Idol finale since Kelly Clarkson took the first title in 2002.
More American Idol:
Finale recap: Nice guys finish first
Q&A with winner Lee DeWyze
Q&A with runner-up Crystal Bowersox
On the scene at the finale: What you didn’t see on TV
Thank god that’s over.
The ratings weren’t high because they didn’t show the audience what it wanted: Randy-on-Ellen sex. Why do they deny us this sexy spectacle?
Becuase I don’t need to go blind.
Because there’s not enough vomit in the world.
WORST season of “American Idol” ever!…hands down.
I’ll be leaving with Simon Cowell. Come on X Factor!
TOTALLY AGREE!
I’m gonna watch both , I cant neglect Idol after all these years together and I’m gonna tune in to X Factor ,i hope the next season of Idol has better musician and gets an awesome replacement for Simon
Even the Hicks debacle.
I quit watching Idol this season for the first time – and I’ve been rock steady loyal to the show before. Just got tired of it all – the bad boots, Ellen, bad production, weird themes and mentors, etc. But I came back last night to watch Simon’s final show. I’m glad I came back if only to have seen the giant Idol Alumni Reunion song. That was awesome. But they should’ve sang “A Moment Like This” and brought it all full circle.
last american idol i’ll ever watch
the clear winner has been ripped
off the last 3 seasons.the judges
input should count in the voting.
are u slamming David Cook
Not a slam on Cook. Replay the tapes; Archie really brought it on Finals night but lost out to a strong Cook cougar fan base. If evaluation is on who outperformed the other on the Finals night, Archie was jobbed. If folks use the totality of the season’s “work,” then the win was given to the correct contestant.
23 million idiots!
Hopefully this show will go down the drain where it belongs and “Dancing With the Stars” will go with it. Support local music and art!
WOW!This is huge!Just think what it will do for this guy’s carreer.Look what’s it’s done for the person who won last year,er..ahh..what’s their name??
I quit AI like 4 season ago, watched it for 2 seasons and it was too much hours of TV. Time I could watch 5 other scripted shows, read a book or playback something on my Tivo. AI is for people that have the time to watch live and find it entertaining watching people singing the same song year after year and the judge ripping them apart or tripping over them, enjoyed for a while but had to move on. The only reality TV show I watch is Americas Top Model and that is more of an instructional show for make up tips, fashion and travel locations. AI does nothing a google or You Tube search can’t cure.
its not gunna be the same show anymore without simmon unreal
The only good AI winner….Kelly clarkson. American idol should thank that woman. She has a voice like no other