'Touch' Previews Scores, 'Idol' Ratings Slip Again

The "American Idol" upswing hasn't started yet, but "Touch (2012)" carries some momentum into its premiere in a few months.

First, the bad news: last week, "American Idol" fell drastically in ratings from what its premiere garnered a year ago; this week, the Wednesday-night "Idol" fell 14 percent off last week's two-hour premiere's numbers to 19.5 million sets of eyes and 6.4 rating in the 18-49 adult demographic. Still, the 8 PM ET/PT hour fell only 7 percent. So that's something.

That being said, on with the good news: with "House" seemingly on its deathbed and "Fringe" production costs possibly pricing that beloved show right out of existence, FOX could use a new prime-time sensation and if the preview numbers "Touch" pulled suggest anything, viewers are more than happy to once more give Kiefer Sutherland the ball. The preview heading into the one-hour drama's March premiere scored 11.9 million viewers and a 3.9 rating - according to Entertainment Weekly, the highest retention of any show premiering after "Idol" and the second-highest premiere for a freshman drama this season.

Still, Wednesday was a pretty easy "win" for FOX. The 150th "Criminal Minds" episode on CBS had 13.7 million viewers, good enough for a 3.6. Marg Helgenberger's final bow on "CSI" scored 14 million viewers and a 3.3, the highest rating "CSI" has popped this season. NBC's "Whitney" just keeps confounding the logic of renewal versus cancellation, collecting 4.5 million viewers and a pitiful 1.4 rating. "Are You There, Chelsea??" similarly struggled, watched by only 3.9 million viewers and getting a 1.4 rating. Over on The CW, "One Tree Hill" was watched by 1.5 million viewers, earning a 0.7 rating.