Onetime juggernaut ‘American Idol’ losing its luster

The fall of "American Idol" continues unabated this season, despite the introduction of improved production on the show and a new lineup of judges. A onetime ratings juggernaut, "American Idol" on Fox hit a new ratings low Thursday night, one that would have seemed incomprehensible even two years ago.

"American Idol" sank below the 2.0 ratings barrier, scoring a 1.9 in the group that Fox sells to advertisers, viewers between the ages of 18 and 49. That 1.9 figure is surely a psychological blow to the series, which once routinely hit a double-figure rating in the 18-49 category. Thursday’s show also had the smallest overall audience 8.4 million viewers since a night in July in its first year.

Fox executives went into this season hoping to stanch the ratings plunge with a new roster of judges. Country artist Keith Urban is the only holdover from last year. He is joined by pop superstar Jennifer Lopez (a fan favorite back after a year away) and pianist-singer Harry Connick Jr.