Idol Ratings Continue to Soar Despite Critics

American Idol and the earth’s temperature have one thing in common – they both keep on rising. Tuesday night’s debut of Season 6 captured 37 million viewers, the biggest television audience of the 2006-07 season thus far.

Here’s a quick look at each Idol season’s debut:
Season 1 – 9.9 million (The first AI was a summer show)
Season 2 – 27 million
Season 3 – 29 million
Season 4 – 33 million
Season 5 – 35.5 million
Season 6 – 37 million

But how do those numbers stack up? Here is a list of three other popular sixth season shows:

1. Friends – 32 million
2. Seinfeld – 28 million
3. Survivor – 23.3 million

After the first season of Idol ended, critics quickly pointed out that the newness and freshness would wear off and the ratings would plummet, however, it seems that Idol critics also have something in common – they’re always wrong. But even the Fox network wasn’t so sure of the staying power of Idol. Just before the start of season 3 they anticipated a decline in ratings.

The critics haven’t just been wrong about the show, they’ve also been wrong about the Idol stars. Skeptics said the true test would be if those viewers would translate into album sales. Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson’s debut single “A Moment Like This,” opened up at number 52 on the charts, a week later, it went to number 1. But singles meant nothing the critics said, the true test would be her first album. It went on to be certified double platinum. Still they were skeptical. But five years later not even harshest critics can doubt the success of Kelly. Her second album has gone to sell more than 10 million units worldwide, not mention the many awards she racked up including two Grammys.

But the critics wallowed in joy after Fantasia won Season 3, and has had only marginal musical success. Season 4’s Carrie Underwood, however, turned that around. Her first album “Some Hearts” was certified quadruple platinum in only one year. And it was named by Billboard the highest selling album of 2006. It’s also become the highest selling Idol debut album.

The critics were at least able to continue to relish in the fact non-winners or runner-ups at least were not able to achieve any long-term success. And just before a slew of Idol related CD’s were released in the fall they questioned whether or not any of them would fare well on the charts.

Once again the critics proved to be wrong. Fourth place finalist on Season 5, Chris Daughtry, released his first album, which was certified platinum five weeks after being released. It’s already become the fastest selling rock album of all time.

The critics will surely find some way to prove that the Idol franchise is on the decline, or it’s impact on American culture is waning, and cannot continue. Perhaps the Idol phenomenon is just a weird side effect of El Nino.