Ratings: American Idol Down 19 Percent from 2012 Premiere; Less Slippage Than Last Year

Ratings: American Idol Down 19 Percent from 2012 Premiere; Less Slippage Than Last Year

This… is American Idol‘s first ratings report for Season 12, which opened to 17.9 million total viewers and a 6.0 rating, per fast overnights.

That marks a year-to-year demo decline of 19 percent, which is slightly better than the Season 11 premiere’s (21.9 mil/7.4) 24 percent drop-off and more on par with the Season 10 opener’s (26.3 mil/9.8) 17 percent differential.

Versus the Season 11 results finale (which drew 21.5 mil while scoring a 6.4 rating), Idol‘s premiere shed 17 and 6 percent.

Fox notes that Idol‘s return beat The Voice‘s most recent premiere (12.3 mil/4.2) by more than 40 percent.

RELATED | Michael Slezak’s Idol Season 12 Premiere Recap: Prepare for Shock and Claw Tactics

Facing off against Idol‘s back end, CBS’ Criminal Minds hit a season high in total audience with 12.53 million viewers (up 4 percent from its last fresh outing), yet dipped three tenths in the demo to a 2.8. Leading out of that, CSI (11.1 mil/2.3) rose 15 percent in total viewers and a tenth in the demo.

Over on ABC, The Middle (8.2 mil/2.3), The Neighbors (6.2 mil/1.9) and Suburgatory (6.4 mil/2.4) each dipped a tenth or so in the demo, while Modern Family (11 mil/4.3) slipped 9 percent. Nashville (6.5 mil/2.2) added viewers and inched up a tenth to its best rating since the series premiere.

The CW’s Arrow (3.1 mil/1.1) ticked up a tenth from its winter finale, while Supernatural was rock-steady at 2.1 mil/0.9.

What were you tuned into this Wednesday?


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