'American Idol' Tour Cancels Dates in U.S.
Despite its continued popularity, 'American Idol' just isn’t the pop juggernaut it used be.
Perhaps in response to the show’s waning ratings and a lackluster ninth season, the annual 'American Idol' summer tour has been trimmed by eight dates, BBC News reports. The tour will now end on August 31 instead of September 16, and many of the show’s dates have also been rescheduled.
This year’s finale, featuring judge Simon Cowell’s final appearance on the panel, was the lowest-rated A.I. final since 2002, tallying just 24.2 million viewers. The number was 9 percent less than 2009’s total. The reality competition does, however, remain the most-watched show on U.S. television.
The top 10 contestants from each season traditionally go on tour together during the summer, and many of the 10 contestants sign record deals and begin working on their own music.
Out of this season’s contestants, only Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, the season’s winner and runner-up respectively, have signed record deals so far. After winning, DeWyze released his first single, “Beautiful Day,” which debuted at a relatively low number 24.
The lack of contestant popularity may explain, at least in part, the decision to cancel tour dates.