Have the Changes at the Judging Table Backfired? ‘American Idol’ Is Losing Value

October 23rd, 2012 - By Ann Brown

AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker

We’re sure this isn’t what the producers of American Idol hoped when they added Nicki Minaj to the judging table… for $12 million. Mariah Carey was also meant to be a big draw, with her reported $18 million salary. Instead of commercial time for the show becoming more valuable, ad prices have actually gone down.

Commercial time on the number one televised talent show was the most expensive around at one point. Not so anymore. According to Forbes, “After five years of owning the most expensive real estate in prime time, Fox‘s American Idol has fallen to No. 2 on Advertising Age’s annual list of shows with the highest ad rates.”

The average cost of a 30-second spot on Idol  has fallen by a full third, to $340,825. Idol lost to NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” which is now the most expensive place to buy commercial time. Last year “both ‘SNF’ and Idol were charging about $500,000 for an average 30-second spot, this year the NBC show is commanding $545,142,” reports Forbes.

So it appears the cat fights between Mariah Carey and Minaj didn’t boost the value of the show. And to pay those salaries, they can use all the ad dollars they can get. Let’s see if the talent can do the trick.

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  • queenbee2u

    Honestly I don’t think it had a lot to do with the little cat fight. Who really watches AI? I mean I know they have their loyal fans but it’s nothing like when Ruben, Clay Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson and Tamyra Gray were on their. I quit watching when folks start bringing their own guitars. Every show has it’s time. They knew their time was up that’s why they brought two very well recognized celebrity guest. And we all know Nicki was a desperate cause of action. They knew their time was up.

  • http://www.facebook.com/derique.marie Derique Fancy Marie

    ok i thought America was broke…where did this 12 million and 18 million come from to pay these “celebs”??? I’m just a bit confused because sitting in a chair telling people about themselves doesn’t equal millions it equals $8 maybe $11 a hour…I personally haven’t watched since fantasia won but this show is now a reality sitcom if you ask me.

  • MadasHell

    How do you think the contestants feel when they are standing there being judged by this parrot nicki minaj???riddle me that.
    ain’t nobody wana watch that pink skoobie doo doo.

    • jane

      Probably no worse standing then when they were standing in front of Lopez who has the vocal range of a 8 year old. Idol messed up long before this, Carey does bring credibility something the show never had to me because she’s the first judge they’ve had that not only knows music but knows how to sing. So I don’t know how this will go, I might actually watch for the first time because of Mariah.

  • Shirl

    American Idol lost its value long before Nicki Manaj. She just put the nail in the coffin.

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