Return of Idol Delivers Record Viewers

LOS ANGELES, January 18: American
Idol returned to FOX on Tuesday
night with an all-time high opening viewership of 37.3 million.

This was the highest ever
opening for the FremantleMedia show in its history. Viewership for the season
six premiere was 5 percent up on last year’s record premiere of 35.5 million.
This makes it the best debut ever for a show on FOX.

The show’s creator, Simon
Fuller, said in a statement: “American Idol continues to make entertainment history. Not only
is it the biggest show in America but it is also now the most popular format in
the world. These amazing numbers from our season six premiere continue to defy
all reasonable expectation. It just keeps growing.”