According to preliminary Nielsen numbers, President Obama’s press conference drew a higher rating than the season premiere of American Idol, says the Hollywood Reporter. On the one hand, Idol only airs on one network. On the other hand, the preliminary press conference rating doesn’t includes the cable news networks, which will drive the final number even higher.
Of course, put an $800 billion-plus prize on Idol, and you might generate a little more interest.
[Update: According to Nielsen figures just out, 49.5 million people watched, including cable viewers.]