‘American Idol’ Penultimate Episode Scores Season High Ratings (EXCLUSIVE)

American Idol scored a win for ABC with this seasons penultimate episode, which aired May 14. The episode hit season highs in total viewers (7.9 million) and with a 1.2 rating among the Adults 18-49 demographic. The episodes performance pushed the series to its strongest showing in a year according to Nielsen ratings, according to new numbers obtained by Variety.

According to the network, Idol jumped 3% for the third straight week in total viewers, climbing up the previous weeks 7.7 million total viewers, and also grew week-to-week by 9% among adults 18-49, from a 1.1 rating.

Halle Bailey appeared in the May 14 episode, performing Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid as part of Disney Night. In the episode, the Top 5 finalists W Ani, Zachariah Smith, Megan Danielle, Colin Stough, and Iam Tongi faced off against each other for the finalist positions. In the end, Ani and Smith were eliminated.

Fans were given a closer look at the final Season 21 contestants, Colin Stough, Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle, via their journeys from hometown to Hollywood in a follow up special. (Tongi was later crowned this seasons winner in the May 21 episode.) Live+7 day numbers for the finale wont be released until next week, but according to live+same day data, the season finale is the shows most-watched in three years among total viewers, recording an audience of 6.6 million.

Idol is ABCs No. 1 series this season in both total viewers as well as adults 18-49 and ranks among the seasons top three unscripted series in both total viewers (third place) and adults 18-49 (tie for second place).

On social media, Idol raked in 24.7 million social interactions throughout the season this year, pushing it to a top spot in the primetime category online. After 35 days of viewing across linear and streaming platforms, American idol grew to 8.7 million total viewers.