‘American Idol’ 2013: Fox Reality Boss Admits ‘American Idol,’ ‘The X Factor’ ‘Probably Hurt Each Other,’ Lower Ratings

Fox reality boss Mike Darnell, who will soon step down from his position after 18 years, admitted to TVLine on Friday that the network's two big reality singing competitions, "American Idol" and "The X Factor," damaged each other in the ratings.

"There's definitely too much of it on," Darnell said. "And I love 'X Factor' and we love 'Idol,' but yes, they probably hurt each other."

Darnell did not say whether or not Fox would consider the idea of canceling "The X Factor" after Season 3 in an attempt to boost the plummeting "American Idol" ratings.

Darnell also said that the problem extends to other networks and that there are simply too many singing competitions on network television.

"There are so many singing shows on right now. There's just too much of it," Darnell said. "Yes, 'Idol' was down this season, but if you look at (NBC's) 'The Voice,' it's been down five weeks in a row, too."

According to TVLine:

"Idol's Season 12 finale drew 14.3 million total viewers and a 3.6 demo rating, down 33 and 44 percent from Season 11′s coronation night; The Voice's most recent Tuesday outing (10 mil/3.1) dipped 5 and 11 percent week-to-week."

Darnell also said that "your expectations have to be lowered" in reference to the upcoming Season 3 of "The X Factor."

"If its ratings stayed where they were at (for its Season 2 finale), we'd be very happy," Darnell said.

TVLine reported that the Season 2 performance finale pulled in 8.3 million total viewers and a 2.7 rating, which represented a 26 and 18 percent decrease, respectively, from Season 1.