American Idol returns to television tonight with its 24th season premiere on ABC, marking the earliest start in a decade and introducing significant format changes that promise to shake up the iconic singing competition. The two-hour premiere airs at 8/7c on Monday, January 26, shifting from its traditional Sunday time slot.
The beloved judging panel remains intact with country superstar Luke Bryan, music legend Lionel Richie, and former Idol winner Carrie Underwood returning for another season of discovering America's next singing sensation. Ryan Seacrest continues his remarkable hosting streak, having been with the show since its inception in 2002 alongside the first winner Kelly Clarkson.
This season introduces revolutionary changes to the competition format. Hollywood Week has been relocated from Los Angeles to Nashville for the first time in the show's history, renamed Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover. The competition has been streamlined to feature just one round instead of the traditional multiple rounds, with producers promising the biggest Hollywood Week cut in Idol history.
Perhaps the most significant innovation is the introduction of social media voting alongside traditional methods. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolfick explained that the goal is to make voting as accessible as possible, particularly targeting Gen Alpha and Gen Z viewers. Fans can now vote through texting, the American Idol app, and various social media platforms.
Another exciting addition is the new Ohana Round, where the Top 30 competitors will travel to Hawaii for judging by industry tastemakers, social media influencers, and Rolling Stone editors. This marks Season 24 as potentially the longest Idol season since the show moved to ABC in 2018, with episodes airing weekly and next-day streaming available on Hulu.
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