LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The "American Idol" U.S. tour was cut short by two weeks on Wednesday, less than a week after it kicked off, joining artists ranging from the Jonas Brothers to the Eagles who have pulled out of summer dates.

Eight scheduled shows by the Top 10 "Idol" finalists, including stops in Omaha, Neb.; Kansas City, Mo.; Toronto; and Cleveland, were dropped and others dates re-scheduled, according to concert promoters Live Nation.

The tour, which started on July 1, will now end on August 31 instead of September 16. "American Idol" publicists declined to comment on the reasons.

The move follows what was considered a lackluster season of the Fox television singing contest, which lost about nine percent of its audience this year. So far only DeWyze and Bowersox have signed record deals.

Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, John Mayer, Limp Bizkit and the all-female Lilith Fair have all either cut short or canceled tours this summer, with scant explanations.

Billboard magazine recently cited high ticket prices and resistance to service fees. Online ticket booking sites can add more than $20 per ticket to the published price.

Other tours are thought to have suffered from lack of promotion or little new material.

Last week, Disney Channel boy band "The Jonas Brothers" dropped some 20 dates in the United States, but added concerts in Mexico and South America.

"If we're missing your city, please know that we love you and we will be back soon," the band said in a statement.