Despite Changes, 'American Idol' is Highest Rated Program Last Night

Last night's two-hour season premiere of the ninth season of American Idol still garnered masterful ratings, despite recent shakeups and changes.  With Paula Abdul's departure and Simon Cowell's very recent announcement that he, too, is leaving the show, American Idol still was the most watched show of the night with 29.9 million viewers.

FOX is giving the inaugural week of American Idol's new season a few extra minutes - 15 to be exact. The show's Wednesday, January 13 installment will run 75 minutes, pushing the launch of Our Little Genius to 9:15/8:15c. Genius however will only run for 45 minutes on that night.

The early 2010 American Idol premiere will run as follows:

Wednesday, January 13
8:00/7:00c - "American Idol" (75-Minute Episode)
9:15/8:15c - "Our Little Genius" (45-Minute Series Premiere)

Tuesday, January 19
8:00/7:00c - "American Idol"
9:00/8:00c - "Our Little Genius" (Time Period Premiere)

As previously reported, FOX's winter line-up features the usual favorites, in addition to some new additions. New to the schedule is the new game show Our Little Genius, and a new drama, Past Life that will air on Thursday nights. FOX will also premiere a new season of Kitchen Nightmares on Fridays after Dollhouse completes its run. Other additions include Human Target, and Sons of Tucson.

The eighth season of 24 gets its usual two-night, four-hour premiere on Jan. 17 and 18, and will air on Mondays at 9pm starting January 25.

Lie to Me has been picked up for a second time and will return to the network in the late spring. The 20th anniversary celebration of The Simpsons, will air January 10, marking the show's 450th episode.

Fringe will go on hiatus for the winter/spring and return on April 1, while GLEE will be returning on April 13 on Tuesdays at 9pm.

For more information, visit www.fox.com.