Mariah Carey Connection

Hit Fix: Fast National ratings for Wednesday, January 16, 2013.

Wednesday night’s 12th season premiere of “American Idol” took a sizeable dip from last January’s return, but still dominated Wednesday night and delivered one of the season’s biggest non-sports primetime performances.

In preliminary numbers, the “Idol” premiere was down by over 4 million viewers and by the same 19 percent in the young adult demo. That’s not great, but it’s a far smaller drop than “Idol” took last season.

On to the numbers…

Among adults 18-49, FOX — and therefore the “American Idol” premiere — averaged a 6.0 rating, topping the key demographic.

8 p.m. – The first hour of “American Idol” averaged 17.59 million viewers and a 5.7 rating among adults 18-49 for FOX.

9 p.m. – “American Idol” rose to 18.04 million viewers and a 6.2 rating among adults 18-49 for the 9 p.m. hour, dipping in the first half hour, but then rising again.

Buzz Feed: Given the glut of singing competitions — all inspired by Idol, of course — the show could have really dropped through the floor. That did not happen with the premiere. Until The Voice begins again in late March, Idol has this now-crowded field to itself. (Compared with The Voice’s premiere in September, Wednesday’s Idol’s did 43% better in 18 to 49.)

Source: Mariah Connection