<em>The Voice</em> and <em>American Idol</em> have long been fierce competitors in the realm of cable television, each striving to capture the attention of viewers in the crowded landscape of reality TV. In recent years, however, The Voice has consistently outperformed American Idol in terms of viewership ratings, establishing itself as the more popular singing competition among audiences. The return of Adam Levine to The Voice after a six-year hiatus has sparked renewed interest among fans, but the show’s continued innovation and refusal to adhere to a predictable format have also played a pivotal role in its success, distinguishing it from the more formulaic structure of American Idol. As Season 27 of The Voice kicked off in early February, American Idol finds itself lagging behind, and with its inability to evolve, it appears unlikely that this trend will change anytime soon.

Why ‘The Voice’ Is Leading Over ‘American Idol’ in 2025

As American Idol enters its 23rd season, the show made headlines by bringing a significant name to the judging panel: former winner Carrie Underwood, who takes the place of Katy Perry. Despite this high-profile addition, Underwood’s influence has not resulted in a substantial shift in ratings, as American Idol continues to struggle with lower viewership numbers compared to The Voice. Reports from The U.S. Sun indicate that the episode of The Voice broadcasted on March 17 attracted an average audience of 5,237,000 viewers and achieved a 0.39 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic. In contrast, American Idol’s episode on March 16 managed to garner only 4,510,000 viewers, falling short by 800,000 viewers in comparison to The Voice.

During the latter part of its 22nd season, American Idol was performing solidly, often surpassing the 5 million viewer mark, with four out of the last five episodes achieving this milestone. However, since then, the show has struggled to maintain that momentum, with The Voice consistently outperforming it, aside from the evening of The Oscars. Notably, the only instance where American Idol surpassed The Voice this season in total viewership was during its season premiere, which aired immediately after the Academy Awards and attracted 5,905,000 viewers. This ongoing trend reaffirms American Idol’s position as the second choice in the rivalry against The Voice, as it has yet to demonstrate any significant growth or improvement in engaging its audience.

Key Factors Behind ‘The Voice’ Surpassing ‘American Idol’ in Popularity

In the current landscape of American Idol, audience fatigue has taken a toll, with the show’s format becoming increasingly predictable as the years progress. Although the shift away from outright humiliating contestants has been viewed as a positive change, some argue that it detracted from the entertainment value, which previously attracted a larger audience. On the other hand, The Voice emphasizes genuine artist development and consistently introduces elements of surprise, such as the blind auditions which keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The incorporation of new twists, like the “Steal” and “Battle Rounds”, has further enhanced the unpredictability of the competition, making it more engaging for audiences.

A critical aspect that has contributed to American Idol’s struggle to surpass The Voice in ratings is the choice of judges. While Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan are iconic figures in the music industry, they tend to resonate more with older demographics, making them less relatable to younger audiences. In contrast, The Voice has made the strategic decision to welcome back Levine, whose band, Maroon 5, remains relevant today. Additionally, the introduction of country singer Kelsea Ballerini as a new judge this season has appealed to younger fans of the genre. Networks recognize the importance of attracting viewers from the 18-49 demographic, and The Voice has proven to be more effective in this regard, averaging about a 0.50 rating in this category, whereas American Idol hovers around 0.45.

Once regarded as the gold standard for competition shows, American Idol has now become a diminished version of its former self, allowing shows like The Voice to attract a more substantial audience. The future remains uncertain as to whether American Idol will continue to lag behind The Voice in total viewership during the Spring season. However, the apparent inability to engage and grow its audience throughout March suggests a troubling trend for American Idol as it struggles to match The Voice’s impressive ratings moving forward.

The Voice is currently available for streaming on NBC in the United States, making it accessible for fans eager to catch up on the latest episodes and performances.

Source: TVInsider