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Library/Series/American Idol
Grade B26 sourcesHIS-01457

American Idol

Series · 2002 · Notable

51Editable slideCertificate

The singing contest drew over 38 million viewers for its season-two finale’s last hour.

Clip · kellyclarksonVEVO on YouTube
ABC’s 2018 revival announcement, containing its official video preview.
ABC
Watch American Idol TV Show - ABC.com
19 Entertainment / FremantleMedia (producers); Fox (original US broadcaster)
"American Idol" begins final season
The Associated Press (via CBS News)
Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr, on American Idol XIV airing Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
TIME
american-idol-illustration-pete-ryan
TIME
'American Idol' to return to TV on ABC
ABC News
'American Idol' renewed for Season 2 by ABC
Variety (via Fox News)
American Idol- American Idol
TIME
Kelly Clarkson - A Moment Like This (Official Video)
kellyclarksonVEVO on YouTube
Simon Cowell
Reuters (via Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Spread Score

How it works
Reach37Contagion45Breadth70Velocity14Longevity10051

Numbers

Season two finale, last hour, lower bound
38M
As of May 15, 2008 · TV · Nielsen (report reproduced by Radio & Television Business Report)
Seed to observed peak
11 months
Jun 11 ’02 to May 21 ’03
Platforms
7
Started on TV
Origin
Mixed
Entertainment

Mechanics

  • Fandom mobilisationPrimary
  • Identity badge
  • Platform jump
  • Controversy

How it spread

Trace the origin

Fox launched American Idol in 2002. Viewers chose Kelly Clarkson, whose coronation single reached No. 1. Text voting, fan campaigns, tours and ringtones extended participation beyond TV. ABC revived the show in 2018.

Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum.

US TV viewers, Fox premieres and finales2002-06-11: 9,850,0002002-09-03: 18,690,0002002-09-04: 23,020,0002003-01-21: 26,500,0002003-05-20: 25,670,0002003-05-21: 38,060,0002004-01-19: 28,960,0002004-05-25: 25,130,0002004-05-26: 28,840,0002005-01-18: 33,580,0002005-05-24: 28,050,0002005-05-25: 30,270,0002006-01-17: 35,530,0002006-05-23: 31,780,0002006-05-24: 36,380,0002007-01-16: 37,440,0002007-05-22: 25,330,0002007-05-23: 30,760,0002008-01-15: 33,480,0002008-05-20: 27,060,0002008-05-21: 31,660,0002009-01-13: 30,450,0002009-05-19: 23,820,0002009-05-20: 28,840,0002010-01-12: 29,950,0002010-05-25: 20,070,0002010-05-26: 24,220,0002011-01-19: 26,230,0002011-05-24: 20,570,0002011-05-25: 29,290,0002012-01-18: 21,930,0002012-05-22: 14,850,0002012-05-23: 21,490,0002013-01-16: 17,930,0002013-05-15: 12,110,0002013-05-16: 14,310,0002014-01-15: 15,190,0002014-05-20: 6,760,0002014-05-21: 10,530,0002015-01-07: 11,200,0002015-05-12: 5,550,0002015-05-13: 8,030,0002016-01-06: 10,960,0002016-04-06: 9,700,0002016-04-07: 13,300,000Jun ’01May ’02OctJun ’03Oct ’04Jul ’06Sep ’08Apr ’10Apr ’12Oct ’14Dec ’16Aug ’18Observed peakTVOpen webPressRetailAudioGroup chatsX
TVOpen webPressRetailAudioGroup chatsX

13 more events on this chart

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US TV viewers, Fox premieres and finales: 45 dated figures from Wikipedia, each checked against the source. Measured at the time, not estimated.

Timeline (16)

  1. 2002

    Fox precursor · 2002

    Fox promoted audition put-downs, then added TV spots about contestants’ emotions.[2]

    Watch American Idol TV Show - ABC.com

  2. June 2002

    Fox / 19 Entertainment / FremantleMedia seed · Jun 11 ’02

    Fox premiered American Idol in the United States.[3][4]

    "American Idol" begins final season

  3. Straight Dope forum participants platform jump · Jun 19 ’02

    Viewers debated contestants on the Straight Dope message board.[5]

  1. press · Sep 3 ’02

  2. commercial · Sep 4 ’02

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Why it worked

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Origin
Mixed
Sector
Entertainment
Region
US
Season two finale, last hour, lower bound
38M
As of May 15, 2008 · TV · Nielsen (report reproduced by Radio & Television Business Report)
Evidence
Grade B

Spread the same way

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Netflix / The Duffer Brothers

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