7.5 million viewers saw Desperation
Posted: May 25, 2006, 22:39
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LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The first half of the "American Idol"
finale Tuesday drew more than 30 million fans to see the last lap of the
sing-off between Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee.
The 8 p.m. edition of "Idol" drew 30.7 million viewers and 11.8 rating/33
share in the adults 18-49 demographic, which amounted to the highest marks
ever for the first half of an "Idol" finale, according to preliminary
estimates from Nielsen Media Research. At 9 p.m., Fox was still on fire with
the sophomore season finale of "House" (25.8 million, 10.3/25).
"Idol's" fearsome start left the competition in the dust. CBS was the
closest competitor to Fox for the night with its 8-11 p.m. telecast of the
Academy of Country Music Awards (12 million, 3.5/9).
ABC and NBC were pretty well pummeled with their made-for-TV movies. The
second half of NBC's "10.5: Apocalypse" disaster mini pulled in only about 6
million viewers and 2.3/6 in the key demo from 9-11 p.m.. ABC's three-hour
"Stephen King's Desperation" was only a little better off with 7.5 million
viewers and 2.5/7 in adults 18-49.
Thanks to Rocky Wood.
