American Idol selects its top 13

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Jennifer Lopez and the judges of "American Idol" celebrate the final 13 contestants Thursday night (March 1, 2012) in Los Angeles.

The reality television singing competition is one of the most popular programs in the United States with an audience of 19.8 million viewers.

Tonight marked the beginning of the final stage for the program as the field was narrowed to 13. Viewers voted for ten finalists after the 13 men and 12 women semi-finalists sang live on two episodes earlier this week. Three additional singers were chosen to join the top ten by the judges. On the red carpet Lopez explained how they selected the additional three performers.

"You know it's funny you get to know the singers so well and you know what they can do and you know what they did and you go and you say 'this one deserves another chance' but the truth is they all deserve another chance. They are all great singers. At the end of the day, picking just six to come out and sing, we pick them for different reason all of them. This one deserves another chance, this one didn't have as good a night, this one is a really great singer so it's all different things," Lopez told Reuters.

"American Idol," now in it's 11th season, is currently one of the top rated shows in America but viewership is down 20 percent from almost 25 million last season.

One of the factors may be the rise of competition from Simon Cowell's British import, "X Factor" and NBC's "The Voice". NBC's "The Voice," judged by pop singer Christina Aguilera, Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine, and country singer Blake Shelton has been a ratings hit with viewership totaling 19.4 million this season.

Contestants will return to the stage to sing next Wednesday for the first round of the finals.