American Idol

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October 28, 2025

ABC ANNOUNCES 2026 MIDSEASON PREMIERE DATES

Download the first-look promos for the new seasons of “Will Trent” and “The Rookie” Following a phenomenal fall season of unprecedented success across the schedule, today ABC announced its 2026 midseason premiere dates featuring a slate of hilarious comedies, thrilling dramas, and high-stakes unscripted series. “Across ABC and its streaming home on Hulu, we have the best shows on television, from acclaimed dramas to standout comedies and unscripted hits,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “Our midseason schedule underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional storytelling and engaging content to audiences wherever they choose to watch.” “America’s Funniest Home Videos” kicks off the week Sunday, Jan. 4. Star and executive producer Ramón Rodríguez directs the Season 4 premiere of “Will Trent” Tuesday, Jan. 6, followed by the midseason return of “High Potential” which continues to be a powerhouse, ranking as the No. 1 original broadcast series across pl

Press Release - Primetime – Scripted, Primetime – Unscripted

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