American Idol finale posts ratings gain over 2010, Oprah leaves with record audience

The curtain calls for both shows brought in record numbers for the Bell Media network this week.

By Etan Vlessing
May 27, 2011

Wednesday night’s American Idol finale drew 3.4 million viewers to CTV.

The 10th season, with Scott McCreery emerging as the winner, was up 17% against last year’s finale of 2.9 million, according to BBM Canada overnight data.

American Idol also won the night for CTV with 1.4 million viewers in each of the key demos of 18-to-49 and 25-to-54.

As in past seasons, the finale audience for the Fox karaoke competition grew in the lead-up to the Idol crowning.

Peak viewership hit 4.8 million Canadians at 10:02 p.m., CTV reported.

The network also secured 1.6 million viewers for Oprah Winfrey’s curtain call on Oprah, a record audience for the series.