The Duel at ‘Idol’s’ Sunset: Mariah vs. Nicki
Though there are many headlines today about disappointing ratings for “American Idol’s” 12th season premiere Wednesday night, Fox knows that in this broadcast season, at a time when network executives are ready to declare that live viewership is largely irrelevant, a show that draws 18 million viewers in the 18-49 demo is still gold.
It also has a potential hook in the feud between judges in Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, if people don’t tire of it too quickly.
The premiere’s overnight 18-49 rating of 6.0 does represent a decline of 19% from last year’s debut. However, the ratings decline between the 2010-11 and 2011-12 season openers was 24%.
For whatever reason, there is still a pretty big appetite for singing competitions on network TV, even after “The Voice” has propelled NBC to its first sustained primetime gains in nearly a decade.
On social media, the reaction to the obvious animosity between Carey and Minaj seemed divided.
– David B. Wilkerson
