Fox Considering Major Changes To Sinking "American Idol" Flagship

Broadcasting & Cable's Ben Grossman reports that Fox is considering major changes to hit "American Idol," which is suffering in the ratings compared to previous seasons: American Idol and the executives from its network don't live in a Fox hole -- they've seen the ratings. The numbers are down, but Fox execs aren't just standing around staring aimlessly off into space like Idol robo-contestant David Archuleta. Now, let's be clear: It's comical that anyone thinks Fox should hit the panic button for a seven-year-old show that still gets 25 million viewers despite making kids sing Dolly Parton songs with a straight face. I got my grubby little fingers on an online market research survey Fox put into play last week, and its execs are looking at every aspect of how to plug this ratings leak. The network has been doing online polling for three years because it is cheap and easy, but now the stakes are getting higher as viewership gets lower. "We're not in denial," Fox scheduling chief ... (link)