TV Notes: Debut of ‘American Idol’ draws big audience

“American Idol” is back and bigger than ever.

The Fox TV talent contest’s season debut Tuesday was the most-watched premiere episode in its six-year history, drawing an estimated 37.3 million viewers.

That represents a 5 percent increase over last year’s previous record of 35.5 million and is the second-largest “Idol” audience ever, behind only the second-season finale, which drew 38.1 million viewers.

The longest ‘Today’

NBC’s “Today” show will add a fourth hour in September, stretching television’s most popular and lucrative morning show nearly into lunchtime.

The fourth hour, from 10 to 11 a.m., likely will resemble the current third hour, light on hard news and heavy on lifestyle segments, network executives said. The hosts have not yet been determined.

Co-host Meredith Vieira will have nothing to do with the fourth hour for contractual reasons. Since she is host of the syndicated game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” her contract forbids her from being a part of any other show past 9 a.m. each day.