American Idol Season 17 Betting - Bet on Entertainment

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American Idol Betting Odds

While Survivor was the reality show that started it all, American Idol was the first reality talent show to really catch on with the public. This show has been a smash hit since its first season in 2002, and it is the measuring stick for all other singing competitions. The viewership rose from 9.85 million at the start of the first season to more than 23 million by the end of the season, and each subsequent season averaged at least 20 million viewers until 2012. That made it one of the two most popular shows on American television between 2006 and 2011, and it has left a lasting mark on pop culture in the United States.

The show’s popularity started to decrease when Simon Cowell announced that he was stepping down as a judge at the end of the ninth season. Cowell’s acerbic personality coupled with his excellent eye for talent was one of the main drawing points of the show, and it didn’t take long for the ratings to fall precipitously after his departure. From 2014 to 2016, American Idol was drawing just 10 to 11 million viewers a night on average, leading to FOX deciding to cancel the show after the 15th season.

For all intents and purposes, American Idol was dead, but ABC decided to revive the show with the hope that its brand would carry over to their network. This is the third season that the show has been broadcast on ABC. American Idol is shown in more than 100 countries, but most of the countries do not broadcast the show live. The show is broadcast by Sony Entertainment Television in Latin America and by Sony Channel in Southeast Asia.

American Idol Overview

When it was first launched, no one expected American Idol to have as much success as it has over the last two decades. Interestingly, the show was originally supposed to have four judges (like its predecessor Pop Idol in the United Kingdom), but a fourth judge dropped out in each of the first two seasons, leaving us with Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul. All three judges went on to become household names as American Idol took off, and the trio stayed with the show for nine years.

Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. were the other hosts while the show was being broadcast on FOX. Lopez was the longest tenured of the bunch, being one of the judges for five seasons, while DeGeneres, Carey, and Minaj were each on the show for only one season.

Since American Idol moved to ABC, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie have been the three judges.

American Idol Winners

Unlike other talent show winners, early American Idol finalists and winners had commercial success. Kelly Clarkson became a pop star after beating Justin Guarini in the first season, and an interesting turn, she is now a judge on The Voice.

In the second season, Ruben Studdard edged Clay Aiken for the title of American Idol, but both singers went on to make numerous hits. Aiken was slightly more successful than Studdard in the commercial sector, yet both artists went on to sell over two million albums.

Fantasia Barrino was the winner of the third season, and both she and finalist Jennifer Hudson went on to have success. This was the first and only year that three teenagers were the three finalists, and 19-year-old Fantasia edged Diana DeGarmo and Jasmine Trias to claim the title.

The most successful American Idol contestant of them all is Carrie Underwood. The winner of the fourth season has sold nearly 20 million albums over her career, and she continues to be one of the most popular country music artists in the business today.

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