• 'American Idol' Top 32 revealed, semifinals to begin next week

  February 5, 2004
  The third season of American Idol is officially under way, as the preliminary auditions ended and the program's Top 32 semifinalists were revealed last night. Next week, eight of the semifinalists will perform and the viewers will vote for their favorites, beginning the process in which America will decide who will be the next American Idol.

• 'American Idol' continues setting ratings records with Tuesday broadcast

  February 4, 2004
  Another week, another record ratings performance from the third season of FOX's American Idol.

• 'American Idol 3' continues setting ratings records in second week broadcasts

  January 29, 2004
  The second week of the third season of FOX's American Idol has now passed, and, in what can only be considered bad news for every other broadcast network, it's starting to as though, unlike last season, the program might be able to perform at the incredibly high ratings level of its premiere week all season.

• Wednesday 'Idol' scores biggest numbers yet, draws over 29.4 million viewers

  January 23, 2004
  FOX three-night American Idol premiere closed out it ratings rampage on Wednesday with its highs numbers yet -- leaving other broadcasters hoping that the program's ratings will somewhat subside as the show begins to settle into its regular broadcast slots, but already shuffling their schedules to get out of the 800-pound gorilla's way.

• Second 'American Idol 3' episode draws 28.6 million viewers

  January 21, 2004
  The ratings of the second episode of FOX's third season of American Idol might have been down significantly from Monday's first episode of the program's special three-night premiere week, but Idol was still far and away the most-watched program of the night.

• Ratings: 'American Idol 3' premiere swamps the competition, draws 29 million viewers

  January 20, 2004
  So much for those whispered industry thoughts that the third season of FOX's smash-hit American Idol series might not be quite as successful as last season's edition. Wishful thinking appears to have been a more accurate description.

• Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken announce thirty city concert tour

  January 18, 2004
  Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken, two of 2003's best selling new artists, have announced that they are joining forces for their first major nationwide headlining tour set to kick off in Charlotte, NC.

• Ruben Studdard's 'Soulful' drops to #8 in US while Clay's CD sales surpass Kelly

  December 29, 2003
  The second week wasn't a charm for American Idol 2 winner Ruben Studdard ... but his J Records labelmate Alicia Keys had another reason to celebrate Christmas this year.

• Kelly Clarkson's 'Thankful' certified double platinum in U.S.

  December 29, 2003
  She may no longer have the best-selling CD among the former American Idol contestants (at least according to Nielsen SoundScan), but Kelly Clarkson is still trying to keep up with Clay Aiken -- to the delight of RCA Records, the label for which both record.

• Ryan Seacrest to host FOX New Year's countdown, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie to also appear

  December 23, 2003
  Ryan Seacrest will help ring in the New Year when he returns for a second year to host the 90-minute music spectacular featuring previously announced performances from Ashanti, Metallica, Puddle of Mudd, Hootie and the Blowfish, Keith Urban, DJ Funkmaster Flex and rap artists Westside Connection on America's Party, airing live from the Venetian Resort Hotel-Casino Las Vegas on Wednesday, December 31 live from 11:00 PM -12:30 AM ET (tape delayed elsewhere.)

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