ABC is gearing up for milestone season of American Idol — both for its life on the network and its full run.
The network has renewed Idol for the 2026-27 season, with a premiere date slated for sometime next year (recent seasons have kicked off in January or February). The next edition of the singing competition will be American Idol’s 10th season on ABC and its 25th overall; the first 15 aired on Fox.
As is typical for American Idol, ABC announced the renewal without mentioning whether host Ryan Seacrest and judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood will be back. Sources say they’re expected to return; that announcement usually comes a few weeks after the renewal news.
Idol had a ratings rebound last season, with its on-air audience growing by about 11 percent from the previous year. It averaged 7.08 million cross-platform viewers over seven days. Country singer Hannah Harper was named the winner in the show’s season finale.
Auditions for the coming season will kick off Aug. 25, with virtual casting calls for would-be contestants from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., plus a few regional and nationwide open calls, running through late September. Singers will audition for Idol producers in the virtual round.
American Idol is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, part of Sony Pictures Television.
