Idol Ratings Slip, but Still Strong at 30M

Smallest audience since '04 as Fox sees 10% dip

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jan 14, 2009 5:01 PM CST

(Newser) – American Idol’s eighth-season opener drew 10% fewer viewers than the previous installment’s premiere, Bloomberg reports. But with 30 million viewers, it still tripled the ratings of nearest rival CBS among viewers aged 18-49. Idol, Fox’s highest-rated show, raised $750 million in ad revenue last year. The judges sized up contestants in Arizona this time, before the show’s smallest audience in 5 years.

[Images (2)]

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Kara DioGuardi is the new judge on "American Idol," which drew more than 30 million viewers last night. (AP Photo)

Katrina Darrell, 20 auditions for "American Idol" in Phoenix. The flat notes, the sweet surprises, the pleas of the rejected are all intact as "American Idol" returns. (Fox)

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A bikini-clad contestant stole the show in last night's opener. (E! News)

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Idol Ratings Slip, but Still Strong at 30M