People News Ratings News Scheduling News Application News Spoiler News
Show Updates Episode Summaries Image Gallery Message Boards Shows Listing

The Amazing Race American Idol America's Got Talent America's Next Top Model The Apprentice The Bachelor The Bachelorette Big Brother The Biggest Loser The Contender Dancing with the Stars Extreme Makeover Hell's Kitchen The Hills Kitchen Nightmares Nashville Star Project Runway The Real Housewives The Real World So You Think You Can Dance Stylista Supernanny Survivor Top Chef Top Design Wife Swap More Shows

HOME > American Idol 2

Ratings: 'American Idol' finale averages 33+ million viewers, tops 40+ million at the end

By Steve Rogers, 05/22/2003

Zap2It.com reports that the 2002-03 May Sweeps period ended Wednesday night on a very high note for FOX, as the finale of "American Idol" blew away its competition. The first hour of "Idol," featuring the mother of all recapping and foot-dragging, averaged 16.9/27 at 8PM. At 9PM, "American Idol" grew to a 20.3/29, with nearly 40 million people watching the final half-hour as Ruben Studdard was named the winner over Clay Aiken.

According to the Associated Press, the two hour finale averaged an estimated 33.7 million people. For comparison, that was a bigger audience than the 33.1 million people who watched the Academy Awards in March -- which according to Nielsen Media Research, is traditionally the most-watched entertainment event of the year.

Also airing at 9PM and operating in 'Idol's shadow at "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose," the afterglow episode of ABC's "The Bachelor," scored a 6.1/9. At 10PM ABC averaged 7.3/12 with "Extreme Makeover."

More American Idol 2 News

Take Our User Survey

Page generated in 0.0061600208282471 seconds

About Reality TV World • Advertise on Reality TV World • Contact Reality TV World • Privacy Policy • RSS Feed