‘AMERICAN Juniors,“ the kiddie spinoff from “American Idol,“ got off to a strong start Tuesday night.

The show’s premiere episode averaged nearly 12 million viewers from 8 to 9 p.m. – solid numbers for a June premiere, when viewing is traditionally on a downward trend as summer approaches.

“American Juniors” actually outperformed last summer’s premiere of “American Idol” by 20 percent in viewers.