Idol Ratings Plummet

IDOL RATINGS SPUTTER: Last night’s season 11 premiere of American Idol saw the Fox music talent competition juggernaut draw 21.9 million viewers, easily topping the night, but its 7.4 rating in the 18-to-49 demo represented a historic drop-off of 24% from last season’s opener, which itself was off 18%. The total of 21.9 million viewers was off 17%, though the show did manage to take a chunk out of its rivals, NBC’s Are You There. Chelsea? which took the biggest hit, while ABC’s Modern Family and Happy Endings each dipped just a tenth in the demo. The only show to gain on Wednesday was ABC’s Revenge at 10 p.m., ticking up a tenth in the 18-49 demo after Idol had already aired. (1/19p)