LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming in second on “American Idol” may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Wednesday night’s runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, doesn’t have a definite shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in advances for recording singles, according to the “Idol” contract she and other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.

The agreement appears to be the first time in “Idol’s” history that producers are not offering the show’s runner-up an album deal that in previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000, an Associated Press review of the Fox show’s contracts reveals.

The analysis covers eight of “Idol’s” 11 seasons during which contracts filed for contestants under the age of 18 were available. The contracts were reviewed by judges in accordance with a California law that requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer’s earnings be set aside for their benefit once they reach adulthood.

The reduced royalty advance covers the period immediately following the show. In addition to recording new music, the series’ winners and finalists are obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to a Walt Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.

If Sanchez is given an album deal following the show, she will receive the same $175,000 bonus that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing second in the show’s 10th season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option to handle the albums and recordings of Idol contestants for several years after they appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the runner-up with a staggered “Development Period” that requires less music and pays out less in advances.

Sanchez could be paid as little as $30,000 if she is asked to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she records an “EP” of between four and 10 songs.

Representatives for 19 Recordings Inc. and “American Idol” producer FremantleMedia declined comment. They also have not disclosed which recording deal would be offered to Sanchez.

“It makes sense. You can’t continue to offer the same sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging 25 to 30 million (viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20 million,” said Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson, who teaches a course on reality television. Wednesday’s finale was the lowest-rated final show for “Idol” in its history.

“These contracts don’t pay off,” he said, contrasting the long list of “Idol” alumni who have been dropped by record labels with those who have thriving careers. “It seems like the successes that people like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had are the flukes.”

He noted that the recording industry has shifted toward single song sales in recent years, and even established artists are struggling to sell full albums. “I wouldn’t be surprised, quite frankly, if this is the direction they head with the winners,” Dawson said.

Buyers purchased nearly 1.3 billion single songs last year as opposed to 331 million albums, said Dave Bakula, Nielsen’s senior vice president of analytics for SoundScan. He noted that there have been some successful “Idol” runners-up, but producers appear to be giving themselves more flexibility with how they develop artists in different genres.

“Idol” winner Phillip Phillips will receive the same $300,000 advance given to last year’s winner, Scotty McCreery, upon completion of his first album, according to the contracts. Finalists who placed third and lower could receive deals to record singles, EPs or full albums, with the lowest advance amounting to $24,000 if they complete their commitment to record up to four single songs.

Higher advances are paid if 19 Recordings agrees to produce more albums, with Phillips eligible to receive up to $800,000 for a six-album deal.

The advances are paid and later deducted from the singer’s song royalties.

“As the music industry is changing, it makes sense for ‘Idol’ to change as well,” Dawson said.

Despite the contract reductions, there are more opportunities for recent “Idol” contestants to earn money than their predecessors. Phillips will be paid $200,000 for his Disney attraction work and Sanchez will rake in $50,000 for her appearances. Both are also set to get a cut of merchandise profits.

No matter what recording deal Sanchez is offered, she already has heavyweight Hollywood representation. In March, a judge approved a deal in which she will be represented by Creative Artists Agency for future television, personal appearance and other employment deals.

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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

LOS ANGELES (AP) — George Clinton and the Black Eyed Peas have settled a lawsuit in which the funk pioneer accused the pop group of using his music without proper permission.

The settlement was reached after mediation and was reported to a federal judge on Monday, records show. The judge has canceled an upcoming trial as attorneys work to finalize settlement documents, and no further details were provided.

Clinton sued the Peas in December 2010, claiming the group used elements of his 1979 song “(Not Just) Knee Deep” in remixes of their international hit “Shut Up.” The song first appeared on the group’s 2003 album “Elephunk,” and it released “Shut Up Remix” the same year. It also was used in another remix included on the deluxe edition of the Peas’ 2009 release, “The E.N.D.,” according to Clinton’s lawsuit.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — CBS is suing rival network ABC and the producers of an upcoming reality series that CBS says violates copyrights and secrets from its long-running series “Big Brother.”

Attorneys for CBS filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles federal court Thursday.

The suit alleges ABC is trying to sabotage and copy “Big Brother” with its upcoming reality competition show “The Glass House.” The suit names key “Glass House” producers who previously worked on the CBS show, saying they violated non-disclosure agreements.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction blocking “Glass House” from airing later this year.

It also seeks more than $500,000 from each former “Big Brother” staffer who violated a non-disclosure agreement. CBS estimates at least 19 former “Big Brother” staffers are working on “Glass House.”

ABC declined to comment on the case.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — CBS is warning rival network ABC that an upcoming reality series copies “Big Brother” too closely and violates copyrights and other agreements with former staffers.

Attorneys for CBS sent a letter warning of consequences if ABC continues to develop “The Glass House.” The show focuses on contestants who are constantly filmed and eliminated from a home they share.

The letter notes the format is substantially similar to “Big Brother,” which has aired on CBS since 2000.

The letter obtained by The Associated Press and other news outlets states that 18 former “Big Brother” staffers and executives are now working on “Glass House.” CBS says that may violate nondisclosure agreements they signed.

ABC had no comment on CBS’ allegations.

CBS’ warning to ABC was first reported Friday by The Hollywood Reporter.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lindsay Lohan won’t face prosecution over a nightclub manager’s claims that the actress struck him with her sportscar due to lack of evidence and doubts about his credibility, prosecutors decided Friday.

Police had asked the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office to review whether Lohan should be charged with leaving the scene of an accident, but the office determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue a case. Police interviewed the manager, reviewed surveillance footage and looked at Lohan’s Porsche and found no evidence that an accident had occurred.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kim Kardashian’s attorney told a judge Friday that the reality star wants her divorce from Kris Humphries to move forward but that the case has been slowed by the NBA player’s hurt feelings and his desire for an annulment.

Humphries’ attorneys said they needed more time to gather information to decide whether to pursue allegations that the couple’s 72-day marriage was a fraud. Proving the allegations would likely require a trial, which Kardashian’s attorney Laura Wasser said could prove costly to her estranged husband.