The best days may still be ahead for Jordin Sparks, but the same may not be said for “American Idol.” The 30.7 million people who watched Sparks win on Wednesday was a sharp drop from the 36.4 million people who saw Taylor Hicks in last year’s finale, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Industry observers said chances are that the 2006 season will stand as the peak for audience interest.

A lackluster pool of contestants, the general malaise among viewers this spring and the simple laws of TV gravity are all factors.

“People are getting tired of it,” said Marc Berman, an analyst for Media Week Online. “I know I am.”

Producers have agreed to make a spinoff for Fox, a band contest instead of one for individual singers, that will air Fridays in the fall. While Berman said it’s likely to fail in the same way that “American Juniors” did, the spinoff still represents a risk in diluting the brand. I would steer clear of it,” he said.

(AP)