Is 'The Voice' As Big As 'American Idol?' The Numbers Say Yes (Almost)

As far as vocal competition shows go, "The Voice" is the new kid on the block trying to kick "American Idol" off the top of the hill. Given the fact that "Idol" has had 10 seasons to establish itself, you would assume that its reach and selling potential would be much greater than that of "The Voice," but the numbers tell a different story.

THR tallied the numbers for the two shows in terms of billboard debut positions and downloads, and the race is a lot closer than you would think.

When Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina debuted their original singles on the "American Idol" finale, those singles debuted high on the Billboard Hot 100: McCreery's "I Love You This Big" came in at #11 while Alaina's "Like My Mother Does" premiered at #20.

As for "The Voice" finalists Javier Colon and Dia Frampton, Colon's "Stitch by Stitch" debuted at #17 while Frampton's "Inventing Shadows" came in at #20, the same spot that Lauren Alaina's song took in its first week.

That's not a huge difference considering the two shows' different histories, and the numbers are even more surprising in the downloads department: the total downloads in the first week for the two "American Idol" finalists were 292,000 while "The Voice" finalists totaled 282,000. That's a difference of only 10,000 downloads, and that's not a big gap for a nine-year difference in broadcast history.

This means that "American Idol" could really have something to fear if "The Voice" comes on in direct competition with them in 2012. But there is also the possibility that "The Voice" is just better at getting its viewers involved in downloading...after all, a download for a "Voice" contestant counts as a vote, so that might push a fan to download where he or she might not otherwise.

It's a little early to ring the death knoll for "Idol," but the times are definitely a-changin'. Watch your back, "Idol," there's a new bully on the block.