American Idol vs. The Voice

 After a decade on top, the talent show sensation American Idol has a new competitor working its way to number one spot. It became clear on Wednesday when the show took a sharp drop in ratings after a newer singing sensation "The Voice" on NBC took Idol's number one spot, making American Idol no longer the most popular show on television.

The show dropped 16 percent from its ratings a week ago, to a 5.1 rating in the category Fox Network cares most about. It was also down about the same amount in total viewers from 18.9 million to 15.9 million. Even more alarming for the Fox Network is the increasing of rating declines since last year. In 2011, the show was leveling off at about 25 percent down from 2010. Wednesday's show, was however down to 35 percent. 

According to a news article in NewYork Times, "This season, “Idol” has tended to gain about a tenth of a point when the official national ratings are calculated, so it may go up to a 5.2 this week. That would still leave it far behind “The Voice,” which averaged a 6 rating on Monday".

 
American Idol Judge Jennifer Lopez and The Voice Judge Christina Aguilera.  

 

 

Fox executives are citing what has looked to be an unusual ratings drop for many shows in the past week, while other people blame the ratings on the judges which include: Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson. It has been said that the judges are not young enough or cool as The Voice Judges which include: Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green. 

According to E News online: "The Voice is staying strong, dominating CBS' comedies, per the early numbers, and finishing with 16.1 million viewers and a 5.9 demo ratings that may, or may not, best Idol in next week's rankings"

There are many questions that arise as to wether more viewers are recording "Idol" this season to watch it later in the week.  In general, High ratings for reality TV hits built around a competition are less influenced by playbacks on DVRs. 

The bottom line is that the ratings for Idol do remain above well above average making it a hit show but part of the season where the auditions end and live performances begin, the ratings go a bit higher.