'The Voice' Clobbers 'American Idol' Reboot in First Primetime Face-off

ABC/NBC

“American Idol” on ABC sunk 22 percent in TV ratings from its Sunday night premiere to Monday evening, when it first faced off against NBC’s “The Voice.”

But just how bad was the head-to-head beatdown by the NBC singing competition? Badly. Very, very badly.

“The Voice” posted a 2.3 rating among adults 18-49, which is the favorite age range for primetime advertisers. The show also hauled in 11.721 million total viewers. “Idol” had a 1.8 rating in the key demo and 8.359 million overall audience members.

Those Nielsen numbers mean that the NBC singing competition bested the ABC one by 28 percent in the main demo and a whopping 40 percent overall.

Also Read: Harper Grace Gets 'American Idol' Redemption 6 Years After Viral 'Worst National Anthem' (Video)

In the earlier-available overnight ratings, which count 56 key TV markets, each 15 minutes of the two-hour “Voice” received between a 7.1 and a 7.8 — “Idol” never topped a 5.8 and was as low as a 5.5 for three of the quarter-hours.

In other words, the two shows were never close at any point last night — and remember, this was just a pretty standard episode of “The Voice” versus the highly promoted Monday debut for “Idol” on ABC.

“The Voice” actually beat “American Idol” in every measured demo save one — the two shows managed to tie among men ages 18-34. ABC, which is touting time slot improvements from its pricey new property, is thanking its lucky stars for millennial dudes today.

Also Read: Can ABC's 'American Idol' Reboot Ratings Match Fox's 'Farewell' Season?

Below is the NBC show’s advantage among each group measured by Nielsen.

Total Viewers: +40%
Adults 18-49: +28%
Men 18-49: +21%
Women 18-49: +32%
Adults 18-34 (millennials): +8%
Men 18-34: 0%
Women 18-34: +6%
Adults 25-54: +28%
Men 25-54: +26%
Women 25-54: +30%
Adults 50+: +47%
People 12-17: +11%
People 2-11: +11%

Yeah, it was pretty one-sided. Welcome back, “Idol.”

14 Highest Selling 'American Idol' Alumni of All Time (Photos)

"American Idol" returns on March 11, and we couldn't be more excited. That's because it's the rare reality show that has actually produced some bona fide pop stars, hit-makers and even an Oscar winner. Whoever wins has a tough road getting there, and an even tougher climb up this ladder of the highest "Idol" alumni in album sales.
Carrie Underwood - 16.3 million albums sold in the U.S.

Underwood is the only solo country music star to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and 14 No. 1 hits on Billboard's country charts. Her last album, "Storyteller," came out in 2015, so by the time her next one drops, her lead may go up yet again.
Getty Images
Kelly Clarkson - 14.2 million albums sold in the U.S.

Don't credit Clarkson with the head start just because she was the very first "Idol" winner. She's had five albums go platinum in her career. Her latest album, "Meaning of Life," arrived in October of 2017.
Getty Images
Chris Daughtry - 7.35 million albums sold in the U.S.

Recording along with his band Daughtry, the Season 5 contestant's self-titled first album went quadruple platinum in 2006. Both that album and his follow-up "Leave This Town" hit No. 1 on Billboard's album charts. The band's fifth album is expected out this year.
Getty Images
Clay Aiken - 5 million albums sold in the U.S.

The Season 2 runner-up has released two platinum albums and one gold -- and he ran for Congress in 2014.
Getty Images
Fantasia Barrino - 3.3 million albums sold in the U.S.

The Season 3 winner had her 2004 song "I Believe" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her last album came out in 2016.
Getty Images
Ruben Studdard - 2.6 million albums sold

The Season 2 winner's debut album "Soulful" went platinum, followed by a gold album for "I Need an Angel" in 2004.
Getty Images
Scotty McCreery - 2.1 million albums sold in the U.S.

The Season 10 winner's debut studio album, "Clear as Day," went platinum upon release. He also released a Christmas album that went gold.
Getty Images
Kellie Pickler - 1.55 million albums sold in the U.S.

Pickler only finished in sixth place during Season 5, but she ranks eighth overall on this list. She now has her own reality show on CMT.
Getty Images
David Cook - 1.5 million albums sold in the U.S.

The winner of Season 7 had his self-titled, debut album go platinum and peak at No. 3 on the album charts. Quite impressive for a pop rocker.
Getty Images
Phillip Phillips - 1.4 million albums sold

The Season 11 winner has only released two albums, but his first, "The World From the Side of the Moon," went platinum.
Getty Images
Jennifer Hudson - 1.4 million albums sold in the U.S.

Hudson has had two albums go gold, but she's the only "Idol" winner who knows what it's like to earn Oscar gold.
Getty Images
Jordin Sparks - 1.3 million albums sold in the U.S.

The Season 6 winner's self-titled debut album went platinum in 2007.
Getty Images
Adam Lambert - 1.2 million albums sold in the U.S.

The Season 8 runner-up has one gold album, his 2009 debut "For Your Entertainment," and has performed as the frontman for Queen.
Getty Images
David Archuleta - 1.1 million albums sold in the U.S.

Archuleta was only 16 when he competed on "Idol," one of the youngest contestants in the show's history. His debut album in 2008 went gold and peaked at No. 2.
Getty Images

1 of 15

These former contestants on Fox’s megahit reality franchise parlayed their TV time into serious album sales

"American Idol" returns on March 11, and we couldn't be more excited. That's because it's the rare reality show that has actually produced some bona fide pop stars, hit-makers and even an Oscar winner. Whoever wins has a tough road getting there, and an even tougher climb up this ladder of the highest "Idol" alumni in album sales.

View In Gallery

14 Highest Selling 'American Idol' Alumni of All Time (Photos)

Related Content

Harper Grace Gets ‘American Idol’ Redemption 6 Years After Viral ‘Worst National Anthem’ (Video)

Ratings: ABC’s ‘American Idol’ Revival Debut Down 23 Percent From Fox’s Final Season Premiere

‘American Idol’ Stage Manager Defends Ryan Seacrest, Calls ‘BS’ on Accusations