
The season finale of American Idol‘s tenth season drew the best finale ratings and indeed, the best ratings the show has seen since the finale of the seventh season in 2008.
The reality juggernaut whose Australian version was cancelled in 2009 has beaten all odds by securing 29.29 million viewers across its marathon run on Wednesday night (Thursday morning Australian time). Accordng to TV By The Numbers, this is an increase in viewership of 21% verse last seasons 24.22 million viewer finale and the first time in five years Idol has managed to increase its finale rating on the previous year.
In America however, total viewership is not the top priority when analysing ratings data. The share of the advertiser friendly 18-49 demographic is usually the more important factor. In this regard, the finale was able to score a share of 9.2 in adjusted ratings which in itself is up 12% verse last years 8.2.
The good news follows an increase of ratings seen for many episodes of the show this year while the overall downwards trend for the reality contest has also seemed to slow down this season. This is despite the opinion that the departure of iconic judge Simon Cowell along with a revamp of the enitre judging panel would severely affect this years ratings.
Scotty McCreery, 17 beat out Lauren Alaina, 16, to become the youngest male to win the show. This series featured the youngest finalists overall.
An eleventh season will be screened in January 2012.