ABC Press

September 9, 2025

HOST RYAN SEACREST RETURNS TO ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FOR SEASON 9 ON ABC AND HULU

Emmy® Award-winning and longtime host Ryan Seacrest will join music superstars Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood when “American Idol” returns for its ninth season on ABC and Hulu, and 24th overall, in 2026. “American Idol” has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season’s finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best Total Viewer audience in two years. The series continues to dominate on social media as the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV so far in 2025, collecting 1.65-plus billion social video views this year. Season 8 winner Jamal Roberts’ first single, “Heal,” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025. Season 9 auditions are currently underway with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Those auditioning will be given

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

August 25, 2025

JUDGES LUKE BRYAN, LIONEL RICHIE, CARRIE UNDERWOOD RETURN TO ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FOR SEASON NINE ON ABC AND HULU

Following their celebrated debut as a judge trio last season in television’s most widely recognized music competition series “American Idol,” music superstars Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood will help discover America’s next singing sensation in its ninth season on ABC and Hulu, 24th overall, when it returns in 2026. “American Idol” has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season’s finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best Total Viewer audience in two years. The series continues to dominate on social media as the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV so far in 2025, collecting 1.65-plus billion social video views this year. Season eight winner Jamal Roberts’ first single “Heal” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025. Season nine auditions kick off Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nation

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

July 15, 2025

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY EARNS 137 EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS

Andor (Disney+ / Lucasfilm) 14 Nominations OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES – Forest Whitaker OUTSTANDING CHARACTER VOICE-OVER PERFORMANCE – Alan Tudyk OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR A NARRATIVE PERIOD OR FANTASY PROGRAM (ONE HOUR OR MORE) OUTSTANDING CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A SERIES (ONE HOUR) OUTSTANDING FANTASY/SCI-FI COSTUMES OUTSTANDING PICTURE EDITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A SERIES (ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE) OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS OUTSTANDING SOUND EDITING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (ONE HOUR) OUTSTANDING SOUND MIXING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (ONE HOUR) OUTSTANDING SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS IN A SEASON OR A MOVIE The Bear (FX on Hulu) 13 Nominations OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES – Jeremy Allen White OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES – Ayo Edebiri OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Press Release - Specials

May 20, 2025

‘American Idol’ Season Eight Finishes on High Note With Best Total Viewer Audience in Two Years

Series photos are available here. American Idol” wrapped its momentous season eight on ABC Sunday night with 6.51 million Total Viewers, rising over the previous week (+24%; vs. 5.27 million) to score the show’s most-watched telecast in two years – since 5/21/23. In addition, “American Idol” earned a 0.72 rating among Adults 18-49, rising over the previous week (+16%; vs. 0.62 rating) to deliver its best performance in the key Adult demo since the show’s post-Oscars® season premiere – since 3/2/25. The “American Idol” season eight finale, in which 27-year-old Meridian, Mississippi gym teacher Jamal Roberts was crowned champion, stood as the 1 program of the night in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49. In fact, the show was the No. 1 program of the week during primetime in Total Viewers. The “American Idol” season eight finale improved on the show’s season seven finale(5/19/24) by double digits in both Total Viewers (+16% – 6.51 million vs. 5.60 million) and Adults 18-49 (+14% – 0.72

Press Release - Ratings

May 16, 2025

‘American Idol’ Sunday and Monday ‘Disney’ Nights Tower Over the Competition

“American Idol” celebrated Disney music on Sunday, May 11, and Monday, May 12, growing week to week both nights, and towering over the competition as the iconic show heads toward its season eight finale Sunday, May 18, on ABC. Sunday, May 11 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) Sunday’s episode of “American Idol” earned 5.27 million Total Viewers and a 0.62 rating in Adults 18-49, growing over the previous week in both Total Viewers (+2%; vs. 5.18 million) and Adults 18-49 (+9%; vs. 0.57 rating). Featuring special guest Lin-Manuel Miranda, “American Idol” stood as the No. 1 entertainment show of the night in the key Adult demo for the second week in a row, leading its closest competition from 8-10 p.m. (CBS’ “Tracker” and “Watson”) by +68% (0.62 rating vs. 0.37 rating). The show’s strong performance also pushed ABC to a win for the night among the broadcast networks in Adults 18-49, leading second-place CBS by +53% (0.49 rating vs. 0.32 rating). Monday, May 12 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) “American Idol” continued

Press Release - Ratings

May 6, 2025

American Idol: SEASON FINALE - 819 (Grand Finale) - (5/18)

SUNDAY, MAY 18 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT/7:00-10:00 p.m. CDT/6:00-9:00 p.m. MDT/5:00-8:00 p.m. PDT*– American Idol: “819 (Grand Finale)” (819) (Season Finale) Logline: It’s the grand finale! The Top 3 give their final performances in a star-studded night with music legends and top stars. Then, this year’s “American Idol” winner is revealed live. (TV-PG, L) Watch episodes next day on Hulu. *Live coast to coast

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

May 5, 2025

American Idol: 818 (Disney Night #2) (5/12)

MONDAY, MAY 12 8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “818 (Disney Night #2)” (818) Logline: “Disney Night” continues with heroes, villains and a special appearance by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Top 5 travel to Disneyland Resort and perform twice as America votes live for the three heading to the finale. (TV-PG, L) Watch episodes next day on Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

May 5, 2025

American Idol: 817 (Disney Night #1) (5/11)

SUNDAY, MAY 11 8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT/7:00-9:01 p.m. CDT/6:00-8:01 p.m. MDT/5:00-7:01 p.m. PDT*– American Idol: “817 (Disney Night #1)” (817) Logline: “Disney Night” celebrates Mother’s Day with special guest Lin-Manuel Miranda. The Top 7 travel to Disneyland Resort and light up the stage with Disney classics as America votes live for the five moving forward in the competition. (TV-PG, L) Watch episodes next day on Hulu. *Live coast to coast

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

April 30, 2025

‘American Idol’ Rocks the House With More Back-to-Back Wins

Series photos are available here. Kicking off this season’s coast-to-coast live shows, “American Idol” scored more ratings wins on Sunday, April 27, and Monday, April 28, revealing the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees with guest mentor James Taylor on Sunday, and honoring the show’s rich history with special guests Jelly Roll and Chayce Beckham, along with former winners Fantasia and Abi Carter on Monday. Sunday, April 27 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) “American Idol” rocked the house on Sunday night with its first live coast-to-coast telecast, earning31 million Total Viewers in Live+Same Day ratings, growing over the previous week (+18%; vs. 4.49 million) to a season high in the time period and delivering the show’s largest overall audience since its post-Oscars® debut. In addition, “American Idol” earned a 0.53 rating in Adults 18-49, ranking No. 1 in entertainment on broadcast and cable during its two-hour time period and nearly doubling CBS’ performance (“60 Minutes,” “Tracker” and “Wat

Press Release - Ratings

April 28, 2025

American Idol: 816 (Judge’s Song Contest) (5/5)

MONDAY, MAY 5 8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “816 (Judge’s Song Contest)” (816) Logline: The Top 8 perform songs secretly selected by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie or Carrie Underwood in the “Judge’s Song Contest.” With Jelly Roll as artist in residence, America votes for the Top 6, and the judges save one to complete the Top 7. Watch episodes next day on Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

American Idol

Releases

HOST RYAN SEACREST RETURNS TO ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FOR SEASON 9 ON ABC AND HULU

JUDGES LUKE BRYAN, LIONEL RICHIE, CARRIE UNDERWOOD RETURN TO ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FOR SEASON NINE ON ABC AND HULU

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY EARNS 137 EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS

‘American Idol’ Season Eight Finishes on High Note With Best Total Viewer Audience in Two Years

‘American Idol’ Sunday and Monday ‘Disney’ Nights Tower Over the Competition

American Idol: SEASON FINALE - 819 (Grand Finale) - (5/18)

American Idol: 818 (Disney Night #2) (5/12)

American Idol: 817 (Disney Night #1) (5/11)

‘American Idol’ Rocks the House With More Back-to-Back Wins

American Idol: 816 (Judge’s Song Contest) (5/5)

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