The much-anticipated debut of Howard Stern on America’s Got Talent went down last night on NBC, but the show actually received lower ratings than season six’s premiere.

There is one big difference, however. NBC moved this season’s premiere up two weeks earlier than normal so that it could compete in May sweeps. As a result, the show went up against Dancing with the Stars, The Bachlorette, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, and Two and a Half Men last night.

America’s Got Talent had 10.3 million viewers and a 3.6 rating. That’s 16% lower than last year (with no new judges).

Meanwhile, America’s Got Talent returns to NBC tonight for a 2-hour episode from San Francisco at 8 PM ET/PT.