Ratings for Lost dropped to a season low in the US on Wednesday opposite another expanded American Idol.

Idol, which featured performances from the top ten boys, averaged a steady 29.4 million viewers between 8pm and 9.30pm for FOX. The show provided a strong inheritance for new comedy Free Ride, which took 13.5 million at 9.30.

ABC's Lost fell to an albeit impressive 16.5 million in the 9pm hour, good enough for second place for the night. NBC had 10.6 million for Deal Or No Deal at 8, the network's best showing in the slot in two years.

CBS hit a high of 13.7 million for CSI: New York at 10pm, above NBC's Law & Order with 12.4 million.