Follow Zap2it:
TV ratings: 'American Idol' results up, lead Thursday by a lot
Twitter
Google
Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 24, 2011The wild and wacky "American Idol" results show Thursday was up a good amount from last week, carrying FOX to an easy ratings win for the night. Coverage of the NCAA tournament was also up significantly over last year -- but because it was split between CBS and TBS, the Eye's numbers were down compared to the 2010 Sweet 16 round.
Thanks to "Idol," FOX led Thursday by a wide margin, averaging 14.8 million viewers and an 8.6 rating/14 share in households. ABC (8.5 million, 5.4/9) came in second. CBS' 7.15 million viewers and 4.6/8 took third (those numbers may change some because of its live NCAA coverage). NBC (4.7 million, 2.9/5) was up some with a new episode of "The Office." The CW trailed with 1.4 million viewers and a 0.9/1.
FOX also scored the top spot among adults 18-49 with a 4.4 rating. ABC finished second in the demographic with a 2.8, beating CBS' 2.5. NBC averaged 2.1, and The CW was back of the pack at 0.5.
Thursday hour by hour:
8 p.m.
FOX: "American Idol" (20.7 million viewers, 11.8/20 households)
ABC: "Wipeout" (7.5 million, 4.1/7)
CBS: NCAA tournament (6.8 million, 4.4/7)
NBC: "Community" (4.5 million, 2.9/5)/"Perfect Couples" (3.4 million, 2.2/4)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" rerun (1.4 million, 0.9/2)
18-49 leader: "American Idol" (6.2)
9 p.m.
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" (10.1 million, 6.6/11)
FOX: "Bones" rerun (8.8 million, 5.4/9)
CBS: NCAA tournament (6.8 million, 4.4/7)
NBC: "The Office" (7.1 million, 4.2/7)/"Parks and Recreation" (5.2 million, 3.1/5)
The CW: "Nikita" rerun (1.4 million, 0.9/1)
18-49 leader: "Grey's Anatomy" (3.6)
10 p.m.
ABC: "Private Practice" (8 million, 5.4/9)
CBS: NCAA tournament (7.8 million, 4.9/8)
NBC: "30 Rock" (4.4 million, 2.7/5)/"Outsourced" (3.6 million, 2.3/4)
18-49 leader: NCAA tournament (2.9)
Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change, especially in the case of live telecasts. Source: The Nielsen Company.
More ratings at Zap2it: Daily, weekly and cable
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: FOX
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Our Partners
AI is having one of their most entertaining seasons yet.
Michael Scott finally leaving The Office. Any guesses as to who will take his place?
Watch Parks and Rec. It is the funniest show on television. Last night's episode was full of win. SkyMall!
idol what a great show both Wednesday and Thursday, This year the talent is the best i seen
I caught the Idol performance show this morning. It was great. I don't watch the elimination show but whoever goes home, it's a real shame. I wish they could reach back to last season and pull people to eliminate this season. Every single singer this season deserves to stay until the end. Got to say I believe Scotty M. will win it all. How a 15/16 year old kid has a voice that strong is really something special. And to be so talented as to arrange a Motown Classic into a contemporary country tune that sounded so pleasant and original really blew me away. And my wife is crazy about the kid! She says that's the next major cd we're buying and she wants to meet his family when we go down to Garner, NC for the family reunion in May. Geez.
But speaking of pleasant and original, Grey's Anatomy was back with a stunner and Private Practice was exceptional as well. Next week should be crazy good for both shows.
And on the crazy note, how funny were the Wipeouts last night!
Why aren't people watching Community? It is Hilarious.
If ABC can only win the ratings race with just originals, they're in deep doo-doo, but the surprise is CBS dropping off in ratings from their coverage of last year.
american idol better change the voting system. when you vote off the best singer theres something wrong!!! pia gets voted off. thats crazy! i know some people who are not going to watch the show anymore.
what happen this thursday may 7 2011 results is what whould happen when the judges move too quick to save someone too early in the competition. for them to feel bad about tonight results, shame on them, and i myself dont beleive saving anyone because once it goes to the people it should be the people to select and vote for who they feel is the best person singing the best to deserve been the winner of this cracy but good show.