American Idol (season 11) episode (placing fourth during the same year) averaged 18.332 million. The show's continued strengths in its Wednesday and Thursday timeslots, however, helped Fox attain its eight consecutive season in its winning streak in the 18-49 demographics, the most in U.S. television history. American Idol (season 11) The eleventh season of "American Idol" premiered on Fox on January 18, 2012. The show aired on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, while Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez all returned as judges. Interscope Records Chairman Jimmy Iovine, a songwriter and producer, also returned as an in-house mentor
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