'American Idol' ratings soar in series finale

1/39

From left, Caleb Johnson, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry and James Durbin perform during the “American Idol” finale at the Dolby Theatre on April 7.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

2/39

“American Idol” winner Trent Harmon, center right, performs during the show’s finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

3/39

Trent Harmon, winner of “American Idol,” celebrates with fellow contestants.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

4/39

“American Idol” winner Trent Harmon celebrates as judges Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban look on.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

5/39

Original “American Idol” judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell appear onstage at the show’s finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

6/39

Ryan Seacrest looks on as William Hung performs during the “American Idol” finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

7/39

Ruben Studdard and Amber Holcomb perform during the “American Idol” finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

8/39

Marley Fletcher and Harry Connick Jr. perform during the “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

9/39

Jessica Sanchez performs during the “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

10/39

Joshua Ledet performs during the “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

11/39

Katharine McPhee

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

12/39

Host Ryan Seacrest speaks in the audience during FOX’s “American Idol” Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

13/39

Lauren Alaina, from left, Kree Harrison, Skylar Laine, Kellie Pickler and Diana DeGarmo

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

14/39

A screen shows a pre-taped performance by Jennifer Lopez during the “American Idol” farewell season finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

15/39

Carly Smithson

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

16/39

Ruben Studdard, left, and Amber Holcomb

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

17/39

Singers Marley Fletcher, left, and Harry Connick, Jr.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

18/39

Taylor Hicks

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

19/39

Recording artist Jessica Sanchez

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

20/39

Singer Joshua Ledet

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

21/39

Jennifer Lopez takes a selfie at the “American Idol” farewell season finale.

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

22/39

Recording artists Constantine Maroulis, left, and James Durbin perform onstage during “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

23/39

Recording artists Caleb Johnson, left, Constantine Maroulis, Bo Bice and James Durbin

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

24/39

Diana DeGarmo

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

25/39

Skylar Laine

(Matt Sayles / Invision / AP)

26/39

Larry Platt

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

27/39

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood

(Matt Sayles / Invision / AP)

28/39

Recording artists Caleb Johnson, Constantine Maroulis, Chris Daughtry and James Durbin

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

29/39

Recording artists Jordin Sparks, left, Allison Iraheta, Tamyra Gray and Justin Guarini perform onstage during Fox’s “American Idol” finale at Dolby Theatre.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

30/39

Pia Toscano

(Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press)

31/39

Singers Trent Harmon and La’Porsha Renae

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

32/39

Singers Trent Harmon, left, La’Porsha Renae and Dalton Rapattoni perform onstage during Fox’s “American Idol” finale

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

33/39

“American Idol” past winners and finalists perform together.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

34/39

From the audience: “American Idol” past winners and finalists perform together onstage.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

35/39

Host Ryan Seacrest, left, and Brian Dunkleman

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

36/39

Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez and singer Harry Connick Jr. onstage during Fox’s “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

37/39

Fans at the “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

38/39

The “American Idol” stage is set for the finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

39/39

President Obama addresses the audience during the “American Idol” finale.

(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

By Meredith BlakeStaff Writer

April 8, 2016 10:30 AM PT

“American Idol” went out big Thursday night.

About 13.3 million viewers tuned into the finale of the long-running singing competition series, which saw Trent Harmon crowned the 15th and final “Idol” in a surprise victory over fellow Mississippian La’Porsha Renae. “American Idol” was the most-watched show of the night among viewers under 50, according to Nielsen.

The ratings numbers pale in comparison with those of “American Idol” at its peak a decade ago, when it regularly drew 30 million or more viewers, but they still represent a significant uptick for the faded franchise. Thursday’s star-studded episode was the most-watched TV finale in three years and the most-watched telecast of the show in more than two years.

Fox pulled out all the stops for the two-hour swan song, which was broadcast from the Dolby Theatre. The finale included performances from winners, judges and favorite contestants over the years, an appearance by original cohost Brian Dunkleman and opening remarks from President Obama.

Follow @MeredithBlake on Twitter

MORE:

How ‘American Idol’ changed everything

Watch 3 of the best moments from the last ‘American Idol’

Carrie Underwood: American Idol criticism could be ‘quite harsh’