American Idol (season 14) talent. Some of these changes came in response to the falling popularity and viewership of "Idol" in comparison to NBC's competing series "The Voice"; viewership of the thirteenth season had fallen by 27%. Former judge Randy Jackson, who served as a mentor on the previous season, left the show and was succeeded by Big Machine Records founder Scott Borchetta. In May 2014, Ryan Seacrest signed a two-year extension to remain host of "Idol" through 2016, which would be the show's final season. Long-time sponsor Coca-Cola ended its relationship with the series, and the Ford Motor Company maintained a reduced role.
American Idol placed second overall amongst the 18–49 age group. The finale night when Ruben Studdard won over Clay Aiken was also the highest-rated ever "American Idol" episode at 38.1 million for the final hour. By the third season, the show had become the top show in the 18–49 demographic<ref name="realitytvworld_5/24/2007"></ref> a position it has held for all subsequent years up to and including the tenth season, and its competition stages ranked first in the nationwide overall ratings. By the fourth season, "American Idol" had become the most watched series amongst all viewers on American TV for the first time, with an