AMERICAN IDOL Series Farewell Surges 55% Over Last Year; Delivers Over 13M Viewers

Deadline reports that last night's two-hour series finale of AMERICAN IDOL ended with a bang, delivering a 9.6/15 in metered market ratings. The show earned a 3.0 rating among adults 18-49 and was watched by 13.3 million viewers.

The results mark a surge of 55% from the 6.2/10 metered market result delivered by last year's Season 14 finale on May 13, 2015. That episode marked the lowest finale ratings results of the series, with a 1.7/6 rating among adults 18-49 and 8.03 million viewers. Both of those categories were all time finale lows for the one-time TV juggernaut.

The highest-rated season finale of AMERICAN IDOL remains Season 2, when Ruben Studdard faced off against Clay Aiken on May 21, 2003. The show delivered an unheard of 16.8 rating among the 18-49s and a staggering 38.06 million viewers.

On last night's show, the lights were dimmed for a final time and host Ryan Seacrest made one last dream come true, as Trent Harmon, 25, from Amory, MS, was named the 15th and final AMERICAN IDOL in the history-making series finale live from Dolby Theatre. Harmon celebrated his win with an amazing performance of "Falling," which is available for download exclusively on americanidol.com and iTunes.

The finale featured IDOL alumni superstars, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson plusRuben Studdard, Fantasia, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery,Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, Ace Young, Allison Iraheta, Amber Holcomb, Blake Lewis, Bo Bice, Brandon Rogers, Bucky Covington, Carly Smithson, Casey James, Chris Daughtry, Clark Beckham,Clay Aiken, Colton Dixon, CONSTANTINE Maroulis, Danny Gokey, Diana DeGarmo, Elliott Yamin, George Huff,James Durbin, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Justin Guarini, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Kimberley Locke, Kree Harrison, LaToya London, Lauren Alaina, Melinda Doolittle, Pia Toscano, Sanjaya, Skylar Laine, and Tamyra Gray.

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