RE: Do me a favor and asterisk the ones who came in second place or lower.
Your wish is my command.
1. Carrie Underwood = 83 million (5 years)
2. Kelly Clarkson = 33.4 million (5 years)
3. Chris Daughtry = 27.2 million (5 years) * ( 4th place, Season 5)
4. Jennifer Hudson = 14.5 million (5 years) * (7th Place, Season 3)
5. Kellie Pickler = 14.3 million (5 years) * ( 6th place , Season 5)
6. Adam Lambert = 12.5 million (3 years) * ( 2nd Place Season 8 )
7. Jordin Sparks = 11.8 million (4 years)
8. Scotty McCreery = 7 million (2 years)
9. David Cook = 6.8 million (4 years)
10. Clay Aiken = 5.7 million (3 years) * (2nd Place, Season 2 )
11. Fantasia Barrino = 5.5 million (2 years)
12. David Archuleta = 5.5 million (4 years) * (2nd Place Season 7 )
13. Phillip Phillips = 5 million (1 year)
14. Katharine McPhee = 3.1 million (3 years) * (2nd Place Season 5 )
15. Taylor Hicks = 2.8 million (2 years)
16. Kris Allen = 1.7 million (1 year)
As you can see, Season 5 was the most successful season of the past 12. It was also the PEAK in terms of audience views.
I think this is the case in a lot of these shows.
The contestants try so hard to win and when they don’t they are so heart-broken.
BUT the publicity they got by just showcasing their talents and coming in 4th, 5th,... was enough to get them where they wanted to go.
You don’t necessarily have to win to win.
I think there have been a lot from America’s Got Talent as well.