Ratings drop for ‘American Idol’ as caustic Simon Cowell heads toward exit

‘Idol’ viewership down as Cowell nears finale

NEW YORK — The Simon Cowell era of “American Idol” is sputtering to a close on Fox.

Viewership of the yearly contest that has dominated television for much of the past decade is off. The Nielsen Co. said that the 19.4 million people who watched last Tuesday represented a 17 percent decline from the same week in 2009. Wednesday’s show was off 10 percent.

“Idol” is coming back to the pack. The two airings were still the second- and third-most popular prime-time programs last week, but ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” was No. 1.

The caustic Cowell, “American Idol’s” most dominant personality, announced in January this would be his final season. He’s doing it without his frequent foil, Paula Abdul, who was replaced by Ellen Degeneres.