“American Idol” more popular than “Dancing with the Stars”

Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 8:27 pm

“American Idol” more popular than “Dancing with the Stars” On Wednesday all speculation was clear like crystal. The long cold war between “Idol” and “Dancing” over TRP has finally drawn to the end.

The Olympic gold medalist gymnast Shawn Johnson may have won ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” but she couldn’t beat Fox’s “American Idol,” whose penultimate show topped Tuesday night’s ratings. According to Nielsen’s estimates, Fox led over all, drawing 23.1 million viewers for “Idol,” followed by the debut of its new show “Glee” (10.7 million).

ABC finished a close second, as the “Dancing” finale attracted 20.1 million viewers from 9 to 11. CBS finished in third place, and NBC was fourth.