IDOL GIVES BACK 2010: (L-R) American Idol executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Idol judge Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi, FOX President of Alternative Programming Mike Darnell, Fox Networks Group Chairman Peter Rice, Idol judge Simon Cowell and 19 CEO Simon Fuller Weds. April 21 at IDOL GIVES BACK Weds. April 21, in Hollywood, CA on FOX. © 2010 FOX BROADCASTING CR: FOX

All the hype surrounding American Idol Gives Back didn’t seem to translate into big ratings. In fact, season nine of the reality competition is losing ground as the weeks roll on (directly opposite from previous years).

Granted there was growth as the night progressed, but overall, the numbers seem to suggest that Idol may be heading to a close.

The entire evening averaged 18.3 million viewers. The breakdown in half-hour blocks was even more interesting. From 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. just 15.7 million tuned in. That number grew to 18.4 the second half of that hour. At 9:00 p.m. the numbers grew to 19.5 mil, then the last half produced a modest rise in viewers to 19.8 million. And when you factor in that most of the competition was in repeats, it says much about how fans are reacting to the series this season…and it’s not good.

Is it the lack of Paula Abdul? The addition of Ellen Degeneres? Or is it just a general malaise with the process? And with Simon Cowell cutting out after this year, will the show be able to survive? Sure 18.3 mil is a large amount, but considering by this time during season five the numbers were 30-plus million, the network and judges have got to be feeling the pain.