MUMBAI: Star World's primetime premiere of American Idol propelled the channel to become the No.1 cable channel in Singapore on 19 January (4+ with cable, TNS Peoplemeter Singapore, 9 pm - 10 pm).

The premiere of the US talent contest was also the most popular programme on Star World since the ratings survey began in 2001.

The primetime telecast attained 2.8 TVRs and 8.7 per cent channel share for all cable viewers during 9 pm - 10 pm on 19 January.

In addition, the new American Idol also debuted to astounding success on Fox in the US with 33.5 million viewers tuning in, surpassing the combined viewership of the other five competing networks in the country during the broadcast.

The latest season of American Idol has renowned judges like Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, along with a host of celebrity judges, who go through more than 100,000 auditions of aspiring popstars in search of the one and only American Idol.