• Fantasia Barrino's sales falling short of previous 'American Idol' winners

  February 9, 2005
  The reality TV show "American Idol" pulled in a record 31 million viewers during its fourth season amid signs its power to sell CDs has diminished.

• Fox's 'American Idol 4' dominates the ratings in its first week return

  January 25, 2005
  Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down in its fourth season, Fox's American Idol dominated the television ratings during last week's two premiere week broadcasts.

• Fox's 'American Idol 4' premieres to record ratings

  January 19, 2005
  Many television industry insiders - including Fox's own network president Gail Berman -- had doubted whether American Idol could continue its monster ratings numbers as the now "maturing" show entered its fourth season. Well, if the preliminary ratings numbers for last night's special two-hour Idol debut are any indication, the fourth season will not only match the ratings highs of last year's American Idol 3, but may very well even exceed them.

• Ruben Studdard almost fully recovered from pneumonia

  December 14, 2004
  Alabama native Ruben Studdard said he's better, recovering from pneumonia and happy his new CD tops the gospel chart.

• Fantasia's 'Free Yourself' album sells 240,000 units in debut week

  December 3, 2004
  The debut album of Fantasia, the third winner of FOX's "American Idol" competition, did not premiere at the top of the Billboard sales list.

• Composers release list of most-performed holiday songs

  December 3, 2004
  "The Christmas Song" tops this year's list of the Top 25 most-performed holiday songs, compiled by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

• 'Idol 2' winner Ruben Studdard hospitalized with bronchitis

  November 30, 2004
  Ruben Studdard, who gained fame as the second-season winner of "American Idol," is recuperating after a bout with bronchitis, a report said.
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  Clay Aiken's "Merry Christmas With Love" holiday album debuts to record sales

  November 29, 2004
  The sales numbers for the first week of Clay Aiken's new holiday release are in, and it looks like the one-time American Idol runner-up is well on his way to his second straight platinum album.
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  NBC to air Clay Aiken Christmas special on December 8

  November 18, 2004
  If you can't beat them, join them. Having watched Fox ride its American Idol series to ratings highs over the last three years, NBC has announced that it will broadcast A Clay Aiken Christmas, a one-hour holiday special showcasing Idol 2's extremely successful runner-up, on Wednesday, December 8 at 8PM ET.
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  Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino to star in November 24 Fox Christmas special

  November 18, 2004
  In the latest example of synergistic cross-promotional marketing opportunities overriding basic sensibilities, Fox will start the Christmas season bit early and air a Christmas special featuring the winners of the first three American Idol editions on the day before Thanksgiving.

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