While I definitely agree that the shows are becoming far more difficult to perform and perfect, I don't necessarily think that is a bad thing. Just like technology, everything must change with the times in order to keep up. While it is frustrating at times to see the top bands obliterating the rest of the competition, at the end of the day, the kids in the non winning bands are JUST as capable of producing winning results as the top bands are. We just have to figure out what it takes to get there. Why hold the kids back by telling them it's not possible to succeed at a CTJ level when it obviously IS possible? I think that children (and adults!) will meet whatever level is expected of them.
I also have not seen a reduction in the number of fans coming out to see the competitions. If anything, it appears that the numbers are rising. It's exciting to see what the kids put together year to year, and I think more and more parents (and alumni parents such as myself!) are going to see it.
Just my 2 cents, as always!