“American Idol” is still the death star.
Almost 30 million people tuned in to watch Tuesday night’s two-hour season premiere of Fox’s “American Idol.” That is on par with what last season’s first episode garnered.
DARNELL Fox executives, of course, said they were expecting lower numbers. Although “American Idol” is still the biggest show on television, ratings have cooled over the last several years. With judge Simon Cowell leaving after this season, there is concern at the network that the show will lose even more of its prowess.
If viewers tuned in last night expecting to hear Cowell explain his decision to leave the show and bring his British hit “The X Factor” to Fox in the fall of 2011, they were disappointed. Cowell is unlikely to say anything on the air about his move until the live “Idol” episodes start in February.
Full story: Fox’s ‘American Idol’ still rolling | Company Town | Los Angeles Times.