'Idol' finale draws nearly 26m viewers

The finale of American Idol on FOX drew nearly 26 million viewers, figures have confirmed today.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the show achieved a whopping 11.2 rating/32 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, smashing through the show's previous share record in that demographic. One ratings point equates to 1.067m households, while the share represents the percentage of in-use televisions in America tuned to the show.

The finale of the series saw Ruben Studdard fend off strong competition from Clay Aiken to win the competition. The judges however reckon both will go onto stardom - as Randy Jackson put it, "...they are both very talented. There is nothing in their way."

While Studdard's victory in the competition guaranteed him a recording contract, it has also emerged Aiken has been offered a contract to record his own album.

A third American Idol is in the works, although it is currently unclear as to whether the ever-acerbic Simon Cowell will be on the judging panel in any new seasons of the show.