AI Ratings Slump

The new crew at “American Idol” did not initially help ratings.

The Nielsen Co. says 26.1 million people saw the two-hour season premiere Jan. 19. That’s down 13 percent from 29.9 million last year.

Nielsen said it was an even steeper ratings drop of 18 percent among the youthful audience Fox network desires.

Despite the niceties of J-Lo and Steven Tyler, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said he was “thoroughly disgusted” by the show’s depiction of the Bronx.

The final contestant, a 16-year-old boy, lived briefly with his family in a homeless shelter in the borough.