Fox's 'American Idol' back on top over NBC's Olympic coverage

All is normal in the world again as Fox's "American Idol" beat NBC's Olympic coverage Tuesday night in the ratings race.

After losing last Wednesday to the Olympics, the first time in six years that "American Idol" lost, the talent show made a strong comeback. From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fox averaged almost 24 million viewers and a 8.9 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic (each rating point in that demographic equals 1.3 million viewers). NBC averaged 20.8 million viewers and a 5.05 rating in the 18-49 demographic going head-to-head against "American Idol," and overall had 21.2 million viewers and a 5.4 rating in the demographic.

While the Olympics were back in second place last night, NBC points out that it has closed the gap with "American Idol" from the 2006 Winter Games. On Thursday, NBC will have women's free skate against "American Idol."

"'American Idol' deserves applause. It's an absolute juggernaut that went undefeated for six years and is now 223-1; we are just happy to be the 1," said NBC Sports Senior Vice President Mike McCarley.

-- Joe Flint

Comments

[Josh]

Duh, ice skating was on last night!!

[billy smith]

hey whats up home dog!
how are you the person in this world who is reading this!
well billy (me) says goodbye weird person!

[omar ruiz]

i don't think that elleng degeneres knows what she's doing as a judge in american idol!

[NY]

ellen sucks get her off the show!!!!

[John]

Joe Flint needs to get over it. American Idol will get blown out of the water in tonight's Nielsens. Furthermore, the Olympics doesn't sell ads to 18-49 so these numbers are completely irrelevant. Just imagine if NBC didn't screw around with all the tape delays and airing games on MSNBC.

[cw windt]

Get off of it. Ellen Degeneres is doing a great job on American Idol. She's there as a person who happens to love music.People need to chill out on her!!