# American Idol

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

- Owner: 19 Entertainment / FremantleMedia (producers); Fox (original US broadcaster)
- Kind: Series
- Sector: Entertainment
- Seed date: 2002-06-11
- Observed peak date: 2003-05-21
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum.
- Spread Score: 51 (Notable, provisional), v1.3
- Mechanics: Fandom mobilisation, Identity badge, Platform jump, Controversy

## Summary

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.

## Timeline

- 2002 — Fox (TV) — Fox promoted audition put-downs, then added TV spots about contestants’ emotions.
- 2002-06-11 — Fox / 19 Entertainment / FremantleMedia (TV) — Fox premiered American Idol in the United States.
- 2002-06-19 — Straight Dope forum participants (Open web) — Viewers debated contestants on the Straight Dope message board.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/american-idol

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “American Idol.” Case HIS-01457. Spread Score v1.3: 51/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01457