by Nick Somoski

Created on: April 26, 2009

American Idol, this little show that slowly caught on in the viewing public, did more than just "catch on" - it caught on fire. It became an American institution, finding its way into the homes of millions and millions of viewers each week.

American Idol premiered in the summer of 2002, to not-so-hot ratings, but slowly so its viewership increases over the course of the season, eventually being watched on September 4, the season finale, by over 22 million people. By that time, FOX realized how impactful this show would become. They found a hot spot for it in their midseason schedule, where it has lead television for the past 7 years. During its heyday, it's been watched by over 40 million viewers.

But, since late season 6, Idol has begun to show its signs of weakness - it's been on a ratings decline for over 2 years now, where it continues as of late. So TV experts, critics, and the show itself has been struggling to ask the simple question of "Why?"

I believe Idol's ratings decline is not as big a deal as some in the entertainment business make it out to be. Like all long-running shows, sure, it is showing its age, which is reflected for the most part in its weekly ratings. But, after 8 seasons, it is still the number 1 show on television, where it'll most likely remain for many more years to come. Once averaging 30 million viewers, it now only averages 25 million viewers. But let's be honest - there's nothing at all wrong with that.

There is still no end in sight for Idol. But, if ratings continue to slowly decrease like they are, the end may come sooner than expected. Why are viewers slowly being waned off of this once powerful threat? Most importantly, viewership of Idol is only declining as the average viewership for network television in general is declining. People who may have once watched Idol no longer watch it because they just don't watch television anymore. Those extra viewers that may have tuned into Idol and nothing else may have just left it. And for once this season, networks are counterprogramming - CBS is now a very strong 2nd option this season with their bonafide hits NCIS and The Mentalist, which are a good 2nd to Idol. NBC remains strong with The Biggest Loser, and ABC has Dancing with the Stars.

The reasons, though, may lie within the show itself. Idol has come under fire continuously with what people believe is the "loss of innocence." And I completely agree with this statement - American Idol has lost its innocence. Let's go back to that

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>