MUMBAI: American Idol is going from strength to strength.

The sixth season premiere of US broadcaster Fox's music based reality show was the most-watched in its six-year history, drawing an estimated 37.3 million viewers according to preliminary ratings from Nielsen Media Research. In India the show airs on Star World.

This represents a five per cent increase over last year's record premiere audience of 35.5 million, making it the best debut for the show ever for Fox.

As has been the case in the past American Idol, which gives viewers the chance to pick the finalists and winner, began as usual with scenes from nationwide auditions. The early rounds feature both promising singers and those who serve as targets for acerbic judge Simon Cowell before they are booted out.