Follow Zap2it:
TV ratings: 'American Idol' finale up over 2010, dominates Wednesday
Twitter
Google
UPDATED with final FOX averages, figuring in the seven-minute overrun for the "Idol" finale.Fast National ratings for Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The finale of "American Idol" improved significantly on its ratings from last year, closing out the 2010-11 season with a big win for FOX. ABC was up a little over last week's performance with its comedy finales, while the CBS and NBC were mostly in repeats for the night.
FOX averaged 29.3 million viewers and a 15.7 rating/24 share in households for the evening, up from 24.2 million for the 2010 "Idol" finale's fast national numbers.The show also ran seven minutes long, so its numbers will likely go up in the final nationals. CBS (6.7 million, 4.6/7) was the best of the rest, narrowly beating ABC (6.3 million, 4.1/6). NBC came in fourth with 4.2 million viewers and a 2.8/4. The CW (1.05 million, 0.7/1) brought up the rear.
FOX's adults 18-49 average also took a jump from the 2010 "Idol" finale -- the net scored an 9.2 Wednesday compared to 8.2 last year. ABC, 2.3, finished second. CBS took third with a 1.7, followed by NBC, 1.2, and The CW, 0.4.
Wednesday hour by hour:
8 p.m.
FOX: "American Idol" season finale (25.4 million viewers, 14.3/23 households)
ABC: "The Middle" season finale (7.4 million, 4.5/6)/"Modern Family" rerun (6.05 million, 3.7/6)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" reruns - two episodes (6 million, 4.1/7)
NBC: "Minute to Win It" rerun (3.4 million, 2.3/4)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" rerun (1.1 million, 0.8/1)
18-49 leader: "American Idol" (7.9)
9 p.m.
FOX: "American Idol" season finale (30.95 million, 17.2/25)
ABC: "Modern Family" season finale (10.2 million, 6.2/10)/"Cougar Town" season finale (5.3 million, 3.4/5)
CBS: "Criminal Minds" rerun (6.45 million, 4.5/7)
NBC: "Minute to Win It" rerun (3.6 million, 2.2/3)
The CW: "America's Next Top Model" rerun (1 million, 0.7/1)
18-49 leader: "American Idol" (9.9)
10 p.m.
CBS: "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" finale (7.5 million, 5.2/8)
NBC: "Law & Order: LA" (5.6 million, 3.8/6)
ABC: "Cougar Town" season finale (4.9 million, 3.1/5)/"Happy Endings" season finale (4.1 million, 2.6/4)
18-49 leader: "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior" (2.0)
Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. 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
'happy endings' is actually really funny. i think it should be moved to the slot before 'mod fam' and after 'the mid' to give it a good boost. 'coug' should stay put and should be promoted more; it's good tv.
Wowsa Idol had it biggest finale in awhile. Great season and I cannot believe it is up over five million viewers from last years Simon's swan song. Do you think Simon Cowell is freaking out the show went on without him and thrived? It was a comibnation of great talent and finale rocked it.
It was a great show! Some excellent performances and very little filler. I was very pleased with the entire show. As for Scotty winning, not surprised but just not that excited.
Marc and J-Lo stole the show..AI went out with a bang..Spectacular Finale.
Seriously, what is the appeal of AI these days and this season in particular? I found not a single aspect of the show even mildly attractive or entertaining and had a much better time -- indeed, a real party -- smelling Paul Reiser's shoe over and over again.
And we wonder why good scripted shows don't survive. We watch 2 teenage kids battle for mediocrity and thats nothing against the kids character
Marc and Jennifer stole the show the Finale was Spectacular and Congrats to Scotty.
Of course, lots of people watched the finale. Viewers were guaranteed to see performances by guests and the rejects. If people knew that they had to see Scotty and Lauren, the ratings would be as bad as the Tuesday boredom festival.
Good thing fat Lauren didn't win, she just doesn't have the it factor that Beyonce and Britney Spears have. Hope now that she list she will not start eating even more and look like a cow like Mariah and Christina do nowadays , sad.
JLO and Gaga were great, they really showed this smarter contestants what real singing and talent us about.
The finale was spectacular. JLO and her hubby were fantastic. Lady Gaga pushed the envelop slightly but for the first time I liked her. This season all the contestants made great leaps in becoming entertainers. The behind the scenes folks were much more involved and really nurtured their raw talents. Scotty will do very well as the Idol. He has grown and now 'his people' will help him even more. I see him taking off like Carrie Underwood. He'll hit the ground running and become successful, as will a couple of the others who did not make it to the finale.