The talent search show, which made stars out of 'Miss Independent' singer Kelly Clarkson and Randy and fronted by acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell, attracted an average 35.5m viewers from 8pm to 10pm on Tuesday night's show.
The ratings high toppled previous Idol premieres by an increase of 9%, 3% and 6% for each respective series since 2002.
The news comes as Clarkson has backed down in a row with 'American Idol' series producers after forbidding her tracks, including the worldwide hit 'Since U Been Gone', to be sung by new contestants.
She came under fire from Cowell, who accused her of ignoring the show. He said: "I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there."
Clarkson, who was the first winner of 'American Idol', had said in an interview in 2005 with the Press Association: "They always talk about the big first thing you did. I think the only thing I do mind is I don't want people to focus on that."
'American Idol' is the brainchild of Simon Fuller and his company 19 Entertainment.
Last month, Cowell and Fuller were locked in a £100m legal battle over the similarities between 'X Factor' and 'Pop Idol'. The case was eventually settled out of court.
The third series of 'X Factor' is due back on ITV screens later this year.
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