American Idol’s penultimate elimination round gave Fox its usual Wednesday night win, while ABC’s Lost slightly bettered its audience from the past few weeks with its mind-blowing two-hour season 5 finale, which drew 9.3 million viewers. Both of CBS’ serials that aired from 9 to 11 p.m. opposite Lost dropped about a million watchers from their usual audience (although both Criminal Minds and CSI:NY still managed to beat Lost). Meanwhile, America’s Next Top Model finished strong — last night’s season finale brought The CW its highest total viewership since the second week of cycle 12.
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 p.m. | Lie to Me (Fox) Rules of Engagement (CBS) Lost Clip Show (ABC) Law & Order: CI (NBC) America’s Next Top Model (The CW) |
8.4 6.4 6.3 5.5 4.2 |
| 8:30 | The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) | 6.5 |
| 9:00 | American Idol (Fox) Criminal Minds (CBS) Lost (ABC) Law & Order: SVU (NBC) 90210 (The CW) |
24.0 13.0 9.3 4.6 (repeat) 1.1 (repeat) |
| 10:00 | CSI: NY (CBS) Lost (ABC) Law & Order (NBC) |
12.2 9.3 (continued) 7.8 |
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Seriously who watches Criminal Minds when American Idol and Lost are on? There are too many old people in this country. CBS could put on prune commercials from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and still find a way to finish second in the ratings.
So having less than 10 milion viewers is an IMPROVEMENT for LOST? Wow, that’s a steep drop from it’s peak of 17 million. Where did that other 70% go? Oh, right…..the Smoke Monster ate ‘em. After that finale, I wonder how many of the rest will be back?
9 million? Yikes that’s a big drop from earlier seasons. People just can’t handle the awesomeness anymore.
Loved Lost finale, but too complicated for many people.
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Good shows never appeal to everyone, like an American Idol. Seriously, any show that values Paula Abdul’s opinion should never be watched by 24 million people.
This doesn’t account for DVR.
Just shows that Lost is a much more challenging show to watch and digest than it was in Season 2, and exponentially more challenging than most TV fare. Most viewers want eye candy with a predictable plot.
It’s ok guys. Lost is a lock for next season…It will be a cult classic! Don’t worry about stupid *ish like American Idol!
Arnette – your numbers are a bit off. Since when does 8 million (the apparent number of viewers that LOST was off since its peak) represent 70% of 17 million?
And why are you such a LOST hater? You wanted something different? This is their story to tell…
the one thing about Lost is that its like the most dvr show. people like to tape it and watch it. also it still does very well in the 18-49 demo in ratings which are not reflected here
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On the plus side, Lost retained what seems like all their viewers the entire show. So it was a pretty compelling finale.
Lost trounces CBS’s shows in the 18-49 demographic, which is the only one advertisers really care about — so from ABC’s perspective, they’d still rather have Lost, even though CBS can pull the “total viewers” bragging rights. But even then, it’s a tough call — because Lost’s ratings get bumped up roughly 20% when you factor in DVR+7 (whoever watches it on DVR within seven days). That makes it a five-year-old show that’s never had less than 10 million viewers, which is impressively durable.
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Ok. How can you say Lost did well. It came in a DISTANT 3rd. The title of the article is “Lost finishes strong” Serioulsy. C’mon. We get that you giys like Lost but that is a bit misleading/delusional.
Who cares about the ratings, as long as the show isn’t getting canceled? Lost is ending next season on it’s own terms, which is pretty rare these days.
The reason it doesn’t get as many viewers is because it requires actual thinking from the audience, unlike the mindless entertainment of American Idol and even the serial crime shows on CBS.
WEll , to all those who said the ending was good i disagree , i have been a major lost fan and i am , the last episode as 1 hour 24 minutes , which was just dragged and dragged then pushed and then dragged , in that time a short movie could’ve been shot. only 15 minutes of it was actually fun rest was just fillers.
Its almost the last season , and nothing has been explained till now , its still getting complicated though.
Well one thing i always complain about is.. lost crew knows how to start a situation but not end it in the same enthusiasm.
Please reply to tell me your thoughts too.
“Next Top Model finished strong — last night’s season finale brought The CW its highest total viewership since the second week of cycle 12.”
True – but it was the LEAST watched season finale of ANTM ever. It did NOT do well.
I am a die hard fan and thought that the 2 hour finale was AWESOME. I loved every minute of it even the way it ended. This show keeps getting better. I dont care if its the number one show or if it gets the most viewers just as long as the rating stay up long enough for it to finish. One more year to go. What will I do after its over ? maybe stop watching TV altogther.
Lost is by far the best program but requires a higher IQ than the likes of American Idol. The final series will probably increase viewers by at least 5%
Web Development and Programming
Lost is by far the best program but requires a higher IQ than the likes of American Idol. The final series will probably increase viewers by at least 5%
Web Development and Programming
Lost is by far the best program but requires a higher IQ than the likes of American Idol. The final series will probably increase viewers by at least 5%
Web Development and Programming
Lost is by far the best program but requires a higher IQ than the likes of American Idol. The final series will probably increase viewers by at least 5%
Web Development and Programming