It’s official, American Idol is coming back, and this time it’ll be for a 2017-2018 season on ABC.
It was a battle between FOX and ABC, but the Disney owned network prevailed, a deal was reached with FremantleMedia North America and CORE Media Group’s 19 Entertainment for a revival of the singing competition series.
Promising a “bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol,” Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney|ABC, mused:
American Idol on ABC… that has a nice ring to it. Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelor.
Channing Dungey, President, ABC Entertainment, took a subtle jab at Fox for ending the show:
American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” she said. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.
A host and judges will be announced at a later time. Rumors have started to swirl that Ryan Seacrest might return as host, since he’s now part of the ABC family. There’s also rumors that Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert could be judges, but all of that is currently just rumors.
Stay tuned for more as it’s announced!
