Odd News

Strong "American Idol" finale caps TV season

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-26 22:24

NETWORK BRAGGING RIGHTS

CBS finished the season, which officially ended Wednesday night, as the most watched U.S. network in total viewers for a fourth year in a row, and as No. 1 for a third straight season in ratings for viewers aged 25 to 54.

ABC wrapped up the season a close second behind News Corp.-owned Fox in the 18-49 ratings derby and as No. 2 in total viewers. Fox came in third in total viewers.

Winner of the 2006 "American Idol" contest Taylor Hicks (R), 29, of Birmingham, Alabama, celebrates with runner-up Katharine McPhee of Los Angeles after the television show's final telecast in Hollywood May 24, 2006. [Reuters]

ABC, owned by the Walt Disney Co., also was the only network to post year-to-year growth, both in its overall audience and in the 18-49 ratings, thanks to such hits as "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives."

"Lost," the serialized castaway thriller, averaged a solid 17.6 million viewers for its finale on Wednesday, down about 3 million from last year's closer, but picked up steam in its second hour once "Idol" left the airwaves.

ABC also ranked this year as highest-rated network among "upscale viewers," defined as those aged 18-49 living in households earning more than $100,000 a year.

NBC, struggling for a second year through a ratings slump, brought up the rear in fourth place both in viewers 18-49 and overall audience.

As usual, the Super Bowl championship of the National Football League was the most watched U.S. broadcast of the year, averaging nearly 91 million viewers.