Update 2: Wednesday’s final ratings report solidifies the news that the thirteenth “American Idol” season finale drew a 2.6 adults 18-49 rating. The number trails that of the twelfth season finale by 28%.
The episode, which was the least-watched “Idol” finale on record, drew 10.53 million viewers.
While unprecedentedly weak by “Idol” standards, the performance was good enough to tie that of the “Survivor” season finale. Wednesday’s end to the “Survivor” season drew a 2.6 with 9.58 million viewers.
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Updated Ratings: Per Nielsen’s Fast National data, the adults 18-49 rating for Wednesday’s “American Idol” finale was down by 28% from last year’s mark.
“Idol” averaged a 2.6 adults 18-49 rating with 10.14 million viewers in the measured 8-10PM portion. Last year’s episode drew a 3.6 adults 18-49 rating with 14.31 million viewers.
Insofar as the “Idol” audience surely peaked during the currently unmeasured 10-10:06PM portion, it is likely the number will be adjusted up in the final data. That upward adjustment will not, however, change the fact that the finale endured a significant year-over-year decline.
What it likely will do, however, is help “Idol” remain ahead of CBS’ oppositional “Survivor” broadcast. Also subject to an adjustment due to its thirteen minute overrun, the finale of “Survivor” drew a 2.5 rating with 9.51 million viewers between 8 and 10PM.
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While Wednesday’s season finale of “American Idol” performed significantly better than the prior night’s performance show, it also paled in comparison to last year’s closing episode.
Wednesday’s episode, which aired on FOX from 8-10:06PM, drew a 6.9 overnight household rating. Down from the 9.5 posted by the twelfth season finale, the number was up from the 4.7 posted by Tuesday’s hourlong performance show.
A true verdict on the competition cannot be rendered until adults 18-49 and total viewership data emerge, but “Idol” did beat CBS’ “Survivor” finale in the overnights. That episode drew a 6.0 from 8-10PM.
Despite its significant ratings decline, “American Idol” will return for a fourteenth season next winter.
