Andy DehnartAmerican Idol 6‘s finale was watched by 30.4 million people, way down from the record 36.3 million people who watched last year. That’s “down about 20% vs. a year ago,” Variety reports. In its last half-hour, the show “drew about 35 million viewers,” compared to the 42.9 million who watched last year’s final half hour. The show may have peaked last year.
On Tuesday night, 24.5 million people watched the final performance show, which was “down 23 percent from 31.8 million on the same night last year,” Media Life reports. Its rating among 18- to 49-year-olds was “one of its lowest ratings of the year and off 24 percent.”
Still, according to Variety, the “results show will finish the season as television’s No. 1 program among adults 18-49, marking the fourth straight year that the franchise has claimed the top spot.”