American Idol ratings will drop this season says FOX president

Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly revealed on Sunday that he expects ratings for American Idol to drop this season. He however said that it is no cause for alarm and isn't a sign of viewer fatigue. He went on to say that the ratings of Idol can drop by double digits and it would still be the #1 show on TV.

I love it! We're still #1! Nothing can beat American Idol. Nothing.

The report from NY Daily News:

From NY Daily News:

With “American Idol” returning Jan. 18 for its 11th season and the familiar swirl of speculation, analysis and criticism already in high gear, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly Sunday sought to put the show’s success and position in perspective.

The ratings for “Idol,” he said, “can [drop] down in double digits for the rest of its natural life and it would still be the No. 1 show on TV.”

That’s a slight exaggeration, since a few shows on TV already challenge “Idol” in total viewership, including ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and CBS’ top dramas like “NCIS.”

But a bad season for “Idol,” averaging perhaps 20 million viewers an episode, would be a career year for almost any other show.

That includes Fox’s own “The X Factor” and NBC’s “The Voice,” two more recent talent-competition shows that have drawn large audiences and not approached “Idol.”

Reilly told TV critics here that he expects “Idol” will have a ratings dropoff this season, and added that he would view that neither as a cause for alarm nor a sign viewers are getting tired of talent-competition shows.

“There’s a large passionate fan base for these shows,” he said. “When they get bored, we’ll know it.”