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Fox's 'Idol Gives Back' drops in ratings

By James Hibberd

April 10, 2008, ET

Fox's second annual "American Idol" charity fest "Idol Gives Back" dropped significantly from its debut last year.

Despite an all-star lineup that included performances by Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Fergie and the promise of appearances by all three presidential candidates, the show was down 34% among adults 18-49 year-over-year.

Although the two-hour "Gives Back" was Wednesday's highest-rated program (17.6 million viewers and a preliminary 6.7 rating and 18 share), it marks the lowest rating for an "Idol" telecast since 2005's "American Idol's Worst Auditions" special.

By comparison, "Idol" is down only 10% on Wednesdays in general this season.

Fox said that last year's "Gives Back" was advertised as a regular "Idol" result show -- viewers who tuned in were surprised to discover that the elimination was pushed to the next episode. This year's episode was considered a special, with no elimination ceremony promised.

Like last year, however, there was a surprise omission: The videotaped messages by Sens. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain were held until Thursday's episode.

The telethon raised $22 million for charity Wednesday, according to Billboard, thanks to a combination of corporate sponsors and viewer donations. Fox said that this year's final tally will be released later and is higher than that amount. Last year, the event raised $76 million.

CBS was second Wednesday with "Big Brother" (6 million, 2.1/6), "Criminal Minds" (13.1 million, 3.3/8) and "CSI: NY" (12.2 million, 3.1/8). ABC was third with repeats and "Supernanny" (5.8 million, 2.2/5). NBC was fourth with "Deal or No Deal" (9.6 million, 2.4/7) and repeats. The CW was fifth with a clip show and "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" (1.9 million, 0.9/2).

Fox's 'Idol Gives Back' drops in ratings

By James Hibberd

April 10, 2008, ET

Fox's second annual "American Idol" charity fest "Idol Gives Back" dropped significantly from its debut last year.

Despite an all-star lineup that included performances by Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Fergie and the promise of appearances by all three presidential candidates, the show was down 34% among adults 18-49 year-over-year.

Although the two-hour "Gives Back" was Wednesday's highest-rated program (17.6 million viewers and a preliminary 6.7 rating and 18 share), it marks the lowest rating for an "Idol" telecast since 2005's "American Idol's Worst Auditions" special.

By comparison, "Idol" is down only 10% on Wednesdays in general this season.

Fox said that last year's "Gives Back" was advertised as a regular "Idol" result show -- viewers who tuned in were surprised to discover that the elimination was pushed to the next episode. This year's episode was considered a special, with no elimination ceremony promised.

Like last year, however, there was a surprise omission: The videotaped messages by Sens. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain were held until Thursday's episode.

The telethon raised $22 million for charity Wednesday, according to Billboard, thanks to a combination of corporate sponsors and viewer donations. Fox said that this year's final tally will be released later and is higher than that amount. Last year, the event raised $76 million.

CBS was second Wednesday with "Big Brother" (6 million, 2.1/6), "Criminal Minds" (13.1 million, 3.3/8) and "CSI: NY" (12.2 million, 3.1/8). ABC was third with repeats and "Supernanny" (5.8 million, 2.2/5). NBC was fourth with "Deal or No Deal" (9.6 million, 2.4/7) and repeats. The CW was fifth with a clip show and "Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious" (1.9 million, 0.9/2).



 


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