"American Idol" hits another ratings low

Another Wednesday, another win for Fox's "American Idol" -- and another five-year ratings low.

"Idol" (22.9 million viewers, 8.2 national rating among viewers age 18-49 and a 21 share) continued to decline at a time of year when its ratings usually increase. Aside from its "Idol Gives Back" special, "Idol" has not shown any week-to-week growth since February. Lead-in "'Til Death" (6 million, 1.9/6) was average, but "Back to You" (7 million, 2.1/6) hit a series low.

CBS was second for the night, with its "Price Is Right" primetime special (7.4 million, 1.8/5) growing slightly, "Criminal Minds" (12.9 million, 3.1/8) hitting a series low and "CSI: NY" (12.7 million, 3.3/9) unchanged this week and winning at 10 p.m.

In third, NBC's two-hour "Deal or No Deal" (7.3 million, 1.9/5) had its lowest-rated Wednesday ever, followed by "Law & Order" (8.9 million, 2.9/8) matching its season low.

ABC's "Wife Swap" (6.9 million, 2.5/8) was up 14 percent this week to match its second-highest rating this season and won the 8 p.m. hour. "Swap" was followed by "Supernanny" (5.2 million, 1.9/5) and an ABC News/Barbara Walters special (7.4 million, 2.0/5).

The CW's "America's Next Top Model" (4 million, 2.0/6) was followed by the second week of "Farmer Wants a Wife" (2.1 million, 0.9/2), which was down slightly from its premiere.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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