Apparently, TV execs think there is an unlimited amount of undiscovered talent in America. ABC just announced they are jumping on the bandwagon of TV singing competitions with Duets, featuring celebrity judges Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Nettles, Robin Thicke, set to air this summer. Is this necessary? Are we tapped out on these shows? The answer currently: not according to the ratings.
American Idol, now in it’s 11th year, finished up the 2011 season as the #1 show week after week topping the charts with almost 31 million viewers for the season finale. NBC’s The Voice premiered their first season with 12 million viewers, increasing it to 17 million for the 2012 premiere. Simon Cowell’s new show The X Factor was neck and neck with The Voice, as 12.5 million tuned in to the first show on September 11, 2011.
And you know where these millions of viewers turn to share their thoughts – straight to Facebook to Twitter? And I’m one of them! Anyone remember this guy from American Idol? I uploaded this picture of Scott McIntyre to Facebook in March of 2009 – I couldn’t believe he kept making it through each week.
And thanks to DVR, #TheVoice has been trending all week as the judges are in the process of choosing who will be on their final team.
We’ll see if Duets can garner as many viewers as newcomers The Voice and The X Factor. My prediction: with ratings this high – these shows aren’t going anywhere. Hey Oprah: maybe you should think about putting a singing competition up on OWN! 😉
