‘American Idol’ & ‘The Voice’ Ratings Revealed: Which Show Has More Viewers?
American Idol and The Voice have both seen major shake-ups for their current seasons, but which show is bringing in the most viewers?
Season 27 of The Voice premiered on February 3, 2025, on NBC and saw the return of former coach Adam Levine, back for his seventeenth season after last coaching during Season 16. Levine joined returning coaches John Legend and Michael Bublé and first-time coach Kelsea Ballerini.
Meanwhile, Season 23 of American Idol premiered on ABC on March 2, 2025, and saw season four winner Carrie Underwood joining the judging panel to replace Katy Perry. Underwood serves as a judge alongside regulars Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.
According to The U.S. Sun, The Voice is currently winning the ratings war between the two long-running singing competitions. The March 17 episode of The Voice brought in 5,237,000 total viewers for NBC, almost a million more than Idol‘s March 16 episode, which brought in 4,510,000 total viewers.
The March 9 episode of Idol, which featured Part 2 of the Auditions, amassed 4,494,000 total viewers. In comparison, the March 10 episode of The Voice had 5,470,000 total viewers.
In fact, the only episode of Idol to beat The Voice so far this season was the premiere on March 2, which aired immediately after the Academy Awards. That episode brought in 5,905,000 viewers, compared to The Voice‘s 5,646,000 viewers for its March 3 episode.
The Voice’s premiere on February 3 reached 5,684,000 total viewers.
Idol faced controversy earlier this year when some fans vowed to boycott the show after Underwood performed “America the Beautiful” at President Donald Trump‘s inauguration.
“I will not watch anymore with MAGA Carrie!! I’ve been a fan since the beginning and Kelly Clarkson’s win, but no more. Sad for all fans of the show!” wrote one viewer on social media.
Another added, “I won’t be watching maga Carrie!!!! Sad, because I really love the other 2 judges… when she leaves the show then I’ll return.”
Underwood later shared a statement with People, explaining her decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration. “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” she said. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
American Idol, Season 23, Sundays, 8/7c, ABC
The Voice, Mondays, 8/7c, NBC, streaming on Peacock
Conversation38 Comments
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At least when someone wins on idol you ar least see them continue there career. In the voice y very rarely hear any music from them. Carrie is by far a great judge who did nothing wrong.
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I like both shows but really The voice wins with me all the way. I like Idol & I really don’t understand why people are so down on Carrie. It’s really her business what she does not anyone else’s. Get a grip people!
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Lots love Carrie, and she’s doing a fabulous job. There’s just a vocal minority that like to be rude. Hopefully she’ll decide to stay for a few seasons
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The \"vocal majority,\" prefer The Voice.. obviously.
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O
And our business whether to boycott or not! HYPOCRISY to the core!
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Well, you’re doing a crappy job at boycotting. .5 in demo this week. Demo also beat the voice on Monday. Idol is always in the top 10 on Hulu while the voice is nowhere to be found on peacock
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I prefer Idol way more than The Voice! I do not like Adam Levine, never have! I watch Idol every week & have left The Voice as a faithful viewer, unfortunately, as it used to be my Favorite out of the two! Bring Blake back & I will be a regular again!
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Idol runs more contestants than Voice but Idol contestants are not near the quality of the voice.
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American idol beat the voice in demo both weeks, and that is really all advertisers care about. Idol is always in Hulu’s top 15 streaming and The Voice is NEVER in peacocks. Let’s say all the facts here lol
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Maybe that say .ore to peacock has better programs than hulu and to compete for a topspot is harder
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Well, threes company was in the top ten this week on peacock :/
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G
The Voice is so much better
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I want Katy Perry back as a judge. Please make this season a one and done for underwood.
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I prefer Idol. What happens to the Voice winners? You never or rarely hear of them again. I think Carrie adds class and more legitimacy to the show.
The writer of this article is obviously bias to The Voice. Otherwise, the Demi’s that make up the ratings would be included.
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It\'s not American Idol it\'s the Carrie Underwood show, it\'s all about her. It\'s almost like the other 2 judges aren\'t there. She needs to go. Get Katy back.
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Omg no one tried to steal the limelight on idol more than Katy Perry. She was borderline ridiculous at times
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Get rid of John Legend!
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So stupid to not watch because Carrie sung our National Anthem for the Republicans! Nothing to do with talent!
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Carrie Underwood is somewhat shy and demure. Katy Perry was a big cut up and was the funny one of the three judges. I just don’t think the judges have meshed very well so far this season I don’t think it has anything to do with Carrie singing at the inauguration. Hopefully it will get better soon.
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I have enjoyed seeing Carrie\'s more playful side. She knows all the songs and I think her advice to contestants is spot on. She always seems so shy so its fun seeing her loosen up a bit. It\'s going to take some time for the judges to know each other and the banter will come. It\'s refreshing and I think Carrie will do just fine. I have to comend Carrie\'s for her composure during the inauguration staff with the sound system. Can\'t help but think it was sabotaged and she carried on with dignity and grace.
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I am happily delighted with Carrie\'s worke as a judge
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The drop at Idol may indeed be becuz Carrie sand at the Inauguration. The left has proven they are so intolerant.
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This is one reason I hate reality shows-- or maybe it\'s specifically contest-type shows: how can The Voice be on season 27, when it started YEARS later than American Idol, which is on season 23?? 😶 I guess it\'s the same way that Survivor, which began 25 years ago, is on season 48? 😵
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They do two shows a season
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They use the word \"season\" when they mean what at least used to be called a \"cycle\" to differentiate self-contained, discrete runs of shows that air more than once within the overall television season. Of course there are four seasons to a year and that means what\'s traditionally a television season plays out over roughly three meteorological seasons...
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Theres 2 seizons in 1 year at the voice
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I love The Voice 👍🏼
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I think that they wrong for letting young people on the show. They should not have teenagers to the show they need they own American Idol show some of the singers has waited for so long to get on that show. Teen American Idol is what need and the age range should be from thirteen to Nineteen. And they vote all the black Americans out. When was the last time Black American won. Let me tell you when, when Fanstsia and Jennifer Hedson was on the show. The Voice is just as bad.
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The voting should be 18
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The voice is on going joke
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I stopped watching Idol when they stole the winning from Adam Labert!
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There are many new followers, also for Carrie Underwood. Especially after all the bullying that she recieved. I switched over to american idol this year.
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I thought it sabotaged too. Her continuing without the music was c lassy n professional.
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Really? Just Sam, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson... any of those names ring a bell? Not since the seasons ended.
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The same can be said for the past 10 or so Idol winners though. This was the first year I didn\'t watch Idol BECAUSE of trashy MAGA Barbie.
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Yes I can not stand Carrie I would like to See Katy come back I know some friends won\'t watch it as long as Carrie is a judge I will not watch it with Carrie as a judge she really hurts the show
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Just please don’t bring back Katy Perry! She ruined that show every season she was on. Such an attention seeker, cornball goofiness, and an ego that doesn’t quit. Anyone, almost anyone, is a better choice.
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Most people stream now because of thr price of cable is out of control. The NBC app works, the ABC app no longer works. I like to watch both shows but now just see the highs of idol on utube.
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