If your New Year’s resolution last year was to stop obsessing about “American Idol” and Harry Potter, you failed.
The TV program and latest installment of the boy-wizard series, along with the films “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Happy Feet,” are as popular now as they were throughout 2006.
Last year, 34.9 percent of households watched “Idol” two nights a week. This year it was 34.1.
Americans spent $423 million at the box office watching “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” in 2006, and about $321 million on its sequel in 2007.
“This is the second year in a row we’ve done the Top 10 lists,” said Nielsen spokesman Gary Holmes, “and many of the big winners from last time appeared again, even in different platforms.”
For example, the animated penguin film “Happy Feet” was a top box-office earner in 2006, taking the eighth spot on last year’s list, and this year was the highest-selling DVD.
The biggest losers from last year’s list are television shows like “Desperate Housewives,” “Deal or No Deal” and “Studio 60.” All were top-viewed shows in 2006, but didn’t even make the cut in 2007.
Last year’s list also shows one-hit wonders that have since fizzled out.
The No. 1 downloaded song in 2006 year was “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter, and No. 2 was Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”