Posted on 02/09/2006 12:48:00 PM PST by SirLinksalot
Thursday, February 9, 2006 · Last updated 10:03 a.m. PT
'American Idol' crushes Grammys in ratings
By DAVID BAUDER
AP TELEVISION WRITER
NEW YORK -- Some humbling news for the pros: By a wide margin, TV viewers prefer the amateurs.
Nearly twice as many people watched "American Idol" than the Grammy Awards Wednesday when the two music programs went head-to-head in prime time, according to preliminary estimates by Nielsen Media Research.
The "Idol" audience on Fox was 28.3 million while the Grammy Awards were being watched by 15.1 million people from 8 to 9 p.m. EST, Nielsen said.
Within that hour, featured performers on "music's biggest night" included Madonna, John Legend, Coldplay and U2. The Irish rockers were the big Grammy winners, earning album of the year and song of the year for "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own."
After "Idol" went off the air, the Grammys picked up a little steam. Overall, from 8 to 11 p.m., the show averaged 17.6 million viewers. The final viewership figure for the show, which lasted until 11:30 p.m., was not immediately available, but was likely to be slightly lower than 17.6 million.
The least-watched Grammy telecast since Nielsen began keeping records was the 17.2 million who watched in 1995. Last year's show was seen by 18.8 million people, with 26.3 million viewers in 2004.
Former "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson won two Grammys, but didn't mention the Fox show in her tearful acceptance speeches.
The music pros can take a little comfort in at least slowing the "American Idol" momentum. It was the first time in seven telecasts this season that "Idol" was seen by fewer than 30 million people.
Ehh-xcellent.
he, he, he ping!
Award shows are BORING! There isn't any mystery here.
I really didn't watch either show.
I'm not a cultural snob - but neither show really appeals to me much.
I was irked that "The E-Ring" wasn't on its usual time on Wednesday night though.
FYI : Will and his mom are going to Hollywood tomorrow.
What's a Grammy?
I'm a Kelly Clarkson fan.
And, on American Idol, Simon has already dismissed a few of the better voices to grace his stage. It's just too frustrating to watch AI sometimes.
When you see what they are awarding (Kanye West, P Diddy) you understand why no one watches. BB King has more talent in the little finger on his left had than these guys have put together....
Speaking of BB, did he ever find his dog?
Seems like every week the "celebrities" are giving themselves some type of award. Boring.....
Kelly's hot. ;-)
Who won The Grammys?
Brokeback Mountain?
I had two. Unfortunately, they're both gone now. I only had one 'Mommy', though.
She has an absolutely amazing voice, even live, which is rare for a pop singer these days. She nailed her performance last night. In front of such a huge room full of experience and talent, that's saying something.
When folks like Con'ya (blind) west are considered worthy of awards, it speaks volumes for what passes for art these days.
Iwatched FOX News and read The West's Last Chance.
The only interesting thing about the Grammys were the special effects used to allow the "Gorillaz" to perform.
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