Back in 2002, a television show stormed America that would change the face of television and music forever: “American Idol.”

Debuting with more than nine million viewers in the premiere of its first season, “American Idol” was the hit of the summer. By the end of the first season, it had crowned now-superstar Kelly Clarkson as the winner and had an audience of more than 23 million viewers.

During the span of its 12 seasons on television, “American Idol” has produced some big stars in the music industry, including Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Also, “American Idol” had been the No. 1 show on television for eight seasons, finally falling to No. 2 in Season 11 and currently No. 6 in Season 12.

Why, after 12 seasons, is “American Idol” falling to series lows?
The answer is simple: an overabundance of singing shows on television. Back in 2002, American Idol was the only singing show around. Now in 2013, we have “American Idol,” “The X-Factor,” and “The Voice.”

In 2010, Simon Cowell left “American Idol” to bring his show, “The X-Factor,” to America.

Since its premiere in 2011, it seems “The X-Factor” still has yet to find its footing on television. After premiering to low ratings in season one, the ratings continued to slide in the shows second season. Bringing superstar Britney Spears to the judging panel didn’t even help.

I think “The X-Factor’s” problem is that it focuses too much on the judges and the production than on the contestants. America doesn’t care about the judges or whatever comments they make, we want to see the contestants and get to know who we are voting for.

Another problem “The X-Factor” has is that it has yet to produce a star, or even a household name. By the end of “American Idol’s” first season, Kelly Clarkson stormed the music industry with her single “A Moment Like This.” I’m not sure if I even remember who the winners have been from “The X-Factor.”

On NBC, “The Voice” airs every fall and spring television season.
I have to give credit where credit is due — “The Voice” is wildly entertaining during its audition phase when the judges use the chairs that spin around. That is great, cheap entertainment.

The problems I have with “The Voice” are very similar to the problems that I have with “The X-Factor.” Just like “The X-Factor,” I have no idea who the winners are from the past few seasons. Aren’t these shows supposed to create “superstars”? So far, none of these copycat shows hold a candle to “American Idol’s” presence in the music industry.

Having three major singing shows on television really hurts the audience figures. Since “American Idol” will more than likely be leaving the airways in the next year or two, other networks should have waited until it was finished before they try and start another singing phenomenon. They shouldn’t compete with a show that created such a mass hysteria.

Of course, audiences are going to get tired of singing shows, they all have the same premise!

Lastly, in cases like “The Voice,” which airs twice every television season, it will eventually burn the audience out, similar to what has happened to “Dancing with the Stars.”

I will continue being loyal to the show I have watched since 2002, but even I have to admit that I’m getting a little worn out from “American Idol.”