‘The Voice’ Triumphs Over ‘American Idol’ Reboot In First Ratings Showdown

Photo credit: NBC (left), ABC (right)

As we previously reported, #Katycats were undoubtedly thrilled to learn the Katy Perry-led ‘American Idol’ reboot – which premiered Sunday, March 11th – was hailed a critical and commercial triumph.

Perry (alongside judges Lionel Richie & Luke Bryan) assisted ABC’s rendition of the reality singing competition reel in over 10 million viewers for its official return, figures that even helped it best ratings from former network home FOX and its highly viewed OJ Simpson interview.

Yet, in the show’s biggest test of commercial viability yet, with last night’s episode – which went head to head with singing competition ratings leader ‘The Voice’ (NBC) – ‘Idol’ hit a bit of a sour note.

Details inside:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZgEOGLMgaI

Historically, ‘The Voice’ has consistently owned ‘Idol’ on the weekly figures front. However, as last night brought with it the shows’ first head-to-head ratings showdown, the numbers reveal no change in that trend thanks to a 22% dip in ‘Idol’ viewership from just the previous night.

Report:

NBC’s The Voice, with Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and Alicia Keys, scored 11.721 million total viewers with a 2.3 rating among adults in the key 18-49 demographic — keeping consistent from last week’s ratings for the series. Monday’s show, in fact, was the second most-watched episode of The Voice in the last year. Meanwhile, Idol recorded 8.359 million viewers and a 1.8 rating in the key demo. That’s a difference of 40 percent overall and 28 percent in the main demo.

*****

No real loss here, if you ask us, as the ‘Idol’ figures are still nothing to shake a stick at. However, what we’re certainly keeping our eye on is viewership consistency (which is something ‘The Voice’ can certainly boast). ‘Idol,’ already dipping in ratings after just day 2, may have the biggest challenge in earning a dedicated audience on its new network home.

Time will tell.