American Idol TV show on FOX: 'canceled', ending with season 15

FOX has renewed American Idol for a 15th season but it will also be the venerable singing competition’s last year.

Ryan Seacrest will be back as host (he’s been with the series since its start) as will current judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban. and Harry Connick Jr. The network says that various alumni will return to reflect on the show’s impact and their experiences.

In its heyday, American Idol was the biggest show on television a drew huge ratings — and aired twice a week. During the fifth season in 2006, the Tuesday editions averaged a 12.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 31.2 million viewers. The Wednesday episodes averaged a 12.3 rating with 30.2 million.

It’s an understatement to say that the ratings have come down quite a bit over the years. This time around, FOX decided to air the program just once a week for much of the season. They hoped that trimming the number of episodes might help the ratings but it didn’t happen.

The current season’s Wednesday editions have averaged a 2.31 in the demo with 9.39 million. It’s still one of the network’s highest-rated shows but apparently it doesn’t make financial sense to keep it going. It’ll be interesting to see if the numbers rise in the final year.

What do you think? How do you feel about American Idol coming to an end next year? Too soon or not soon enough? Who would you like to see return to say goodbye?

6 Comments on "American Idol: FOX Series Renewed for 15th and Final Season"

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nemo f

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This is what happens to a talent show when the crop of n0-talents gets bigger and worse every season. and some of them even actually win the show.

Why Watch

Good riddance. No more screaching wannabies who couldn’t sing any better than me, or perhaps even worse, which isn’t that great.

David E

I agree with you, Why Watch. Now, let’s hope that The X Factor comes back and take American Idol’s place.

Rob Dee

Remember JENNIFER HUDSON winner of Acadamy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy Only because of her AI appearance among many other contestants. Without AI it might not have happened! And take Ryan Seacreast he shot to the top of his game with AI! I feel sad for all the young talent that may never get their chance to shine when AI goes away! I think the turning point for this show when they tried to make a gentler, kinder AI! Many people turned in to see the crazies with the beginning of each seasons tryouts! And let’s not forget the THE… Read more »

for every ONE AI winner who went on to fame, there are five who are already in the 99 cent discount bin at Kmart. the talent on the show gets worse each year and pales in comparison to the past.