Ratings: American Idol down 24% from last year

OMG! American Idol premiered to a 7.4 rating last night with 21.9 million viewers. This is down 24% from last season.

Modern Family had a season low 5.0 rating.

Some analysis: Modern Family even with the season low, had it's best rating vs. American Idol ever. Also, American Idol had a 6.0 rating among young adults (12-34) -- Jersey Shore's Season 5 premiere had a 7.2 rating among young adults.

From franklinavenue: (Original info, but ratings have been adjusted after FOX asked Nielsen to do a rush job with "time zone adjusted final ratings")

Fast nationals for AMERICAN IDOL premiere 7.2 rating / 18 share adults 18-49; 21.6 million viewers.

AMERICAN IDOL's 7.2 rating in the demo is down 27% from last year's opener (9.8) but isn't the lowest ever; that was year one, in 2002 (4.8)

From TVbytheNumbers:

On ABC, The Middle matched its season low (ex. Thankgiving week) 2.6 adults 18-49 rating, down 10% vs. a 2.9 rating last week. Suburgatory also matched its season low 2.5 adults 18-49 rating, down 14% vs. a 2.9 last week. Modern Family also matched its season low (ex TGiving) 5.0 adults 18-49 rating, down 2% vs. a 5.1 rating last week. Happy Endings 2.9 adults 18-49 rating was down 3% vs. a 3.0 rating last week. Free of Idol, Revenge had a 2.5 adults 18-49 rating up 4% vs. a 2.4 rating last week.

From TVMoJoe:

#IDOL big, but no longer the biggest show among young uns. In A12-34, Idol averaged a 6.0 rating. Jersey Shore S5 premiere? 7.2 #situation