LOS ANGELES, July 12 (UPI) -- "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance" were expected to compete, but "Talent" out-drew "Dance" in its premiere week.
NBC's "America's Got Talent" attracted an average of 12 million viewers, 3 million more than Fox's dance show.
While competition for ratings is brutal, the relationship between the two shows' producers remains collegial, the New York Post reported.
The shows are produced out of the "American Idol" suite at CBS' Television City studios where "Talent" Executive Producer Ken Warwick and "Dance" Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe have offices about 10 feet apart.
The executives have been friends since they were together in grade school in Liverpool, England, the newspaper said.
"Nigel and I have known each other so long it's never been about, 'Oh I'm gonna beat you,'" Warwick said, "though we might (joke), 'Congratulations, you were second last night!'"
The two work together the rest of the year on "American Idol."
"I know that the networks are very competitive, and they don't give a damn about our personal relationship," Warwick said.
