AMERICAN IDOL - IDOL RETURNS -- BIGGER THAN EVER

IDOL RETURNS -- BIGGER THAN EVER

Defying TV critics' predictions that it would not be able to sustain its enormous popularity, American Idol returned to the air on Fox Tuesday with ratings that exceeded those for its season debut a year ago. According to Nielsen Research 37.3 million viewers tuned in to the two-hour premiere versus 35.5 million last year. The 8:00 p.m. hour recorded a rating of 18.8 and an audience share of 28. The second hour at 9:00 p.m. averaged a 21.3/32. CBS's NCIS once again proved to be a solid competitor at 8:00 p.m. as it delivered a 10.2/15. But NBC's Dateline and ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos were barely blips on the ratings chart. At 9:00 p.m., CBS remained in second place with The Unit, which recorded a 7.6/11. But a rerun of Law & Order: Criminal Intent drew only a 5.5/8 for NBC, while a second hour of Videos drew a 3.8/6 for ABC. With Idol out of the competition at 10:00 p.m., NBC moved to the top with a 9.2/15 for Law & Order: SVU. ABC's Boston Legal placed second with a 6.4/10, while CBS's 48 Hours Mystery finished third with a 5.6/9.

17/01/2007