ABC's DUETS Debuts to Soft Ratings

ABC new music series DUETS debuted last night with a disappointing start. The singing competition only managed to earn a 1.7 rating among the all important adults 18-49 ratings demo despite a heavy promotional push from the network. Though it did improve with the demo from the first to the second hour, it lost more than 100,000 viewers at 9 p.m., averaging 6.7 million over the two hour broadcast.

DUETS is hosted by Quddus (“Total Request Live”) and stars four of the music industry’s biggest Superstars -- Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke – in a one-of a kind singing competition that takes the Superstars out from behind the judges’ panel and onto the stage.

Clarkson, Legend, Nettles and Thicke  set out on individual journeys across America looking for undiscovered talent worthy of being their duet partners, ultimately each choosing two singers as partners. Together Superstars and partners take the stage each week and perform in front of a live studio audience. In the end, only one duet will be at the top of the charts, and the winning partner will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.

“Duets” is a production of Keep Calm and Carry On Productions. Emmy-winner Robert Deaton (CMA Awards) is executive producer. Emmy-Winner Charles Wachter (“Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution”) is co-executive producer.

Photo credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC