ABC Press

May 4, 2026

SEASON FINALE - American Idol: 916 (Grand Finale) (5/11)

MONDAY, MAY 11 8:00-11:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “916 (Grand Finale)” (916) (Season Finale) Logline: The Top 3 finalists give their all for the last chance to earn America’s vote. Alicia Keys serves as guest mentor and performer, plus special performances from other music legends and today’s top stars. Extended Logline: The Top 3 finalists give their all for one last chance to earn America’s vote before this year’s “American Idol” winner is revealed live. Alicia Keys serves as a guest mentor and performer, with a special group performance by judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood. Carrie also performs alongside Mötley Crüe, and additional performances by Brad Paisley, Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Bryan, Nelly, Shinedown and Tori Kelly light up the stage. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

April 30, 2026

‘American Idol’ Scores 5.3 Million Total Viewers With Biggest Audience in Over 2 Months During Taylor Swift Night

Series photos are available here. “American Idol” celebrated the music of Taylor Swift live on ABC and Disney+, ranking as the No. 1 entertainment program on the night among Total Viewers (5.34 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.42 rating), as the Top 7 put their own unique spin on some of Swift’s iconic hits. With special guest Nikki Glaser joining the all-star judges panel, “American Idol” rose for the sixth consecutive week, notching week-to-week gains in Total Viewers (+5%; vs. 5.08 million) with its best audience in over 2 months – since 2/23/26. The show also grew over its year-ago Monday telecast (+5% – 5.34 million vs. 5.09 million on 4/28/25). “American Idol” was the 1 most social entertainment program of the night, earning 1.6 million total social interactions. Coming up next week (Monday, May 4, at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+, streaming next day on Hulu), it’s a special night marking the “American Idol” 20th high school reunion featuring fan-favorite Idols from the class of 2006, a

Press Release - Ratings

April 22, 2026

American Idol: 915 (Class of 2006: Reunion / Idol X DWTS) (5/4)

MONDAY, MAY 4 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “915 (Class of 2006: Reunion / Idol X DWTS)” (915) Logline: At the “American Idol” 20th high school reunion, fan-favorite Idols from the class of 2006, along with special guests, return as “Dancing with the Stars” pros bring some ballroom flair to the celebration, while America votes live for the Top 3. Extended Logline: At “American Idol”’s 20th high school reunion, Randy Jackson returns to mentor the finalists, and Paula Abdul returns to the judges’ table. Fan-favorite alumni from the class of 2006, Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler and Elliott Yamin, join the current finalists for unforgettable collaborations and 2025 winner Jamal Roberts takes the stage for a special performance. Meanwhile, the finalists perform additional songs enhanced with choreography from “Dancing with the Stars” pros Rylee Arnold, Witney Carson, Jan Ravnik and Gleb Savchenko. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

April 22, 2026

American Idol: 914 (Celebrating Taylor Swift on American Idol) (4/27)

MONDAY, APRIL 27 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “914 (Celebrating Taylor Swift on American Idol)” (914) Logline: The Top 7 celebrate Taylor Swift’s chart-topping hits and defining eras as America votes live to reveal the Top 5. Plus, a salute to California’s biggest artists. Extended Logline: The Top 7 celebrate Taylor Swift’s chart-topping hits and defining eras as America votes live to reveal the Top 5. Plus, Luke Bryan performs, Nikki Glaser joins as a guest judge, and the finalists perform songs from California’s biggest artists. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

April 8, 2026

American Idol: 913 (Disney Night) (4/20)

MONDAY, APRIL 20 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “913 (Disney Night)” (913) Logline: “Disney Night” is back! The Top 9 bring iconic Disney songs to life as America votes live to decide which seven finalists move one step closer to their dream of becoming the next “American Idol.” Extended Logline: “Disney Night” is back! The Top 9 bring iconic Disney songs to life and enjoy the magic of Disneyland Resort, as America votes live to decide which seven move one step closer to their dream of becoming the next “American Idol.” Award-winning music superstar and “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson mentors the hopefuls and guest judges, while performances from Disney hits “Descendants” and “Toy Story” and special appearances from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge bring additional enchantment. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

April 2, 2026

First-Ever ‘American Idol’ Simulcast on ABC and Disney+ Surges Double Digits

Series photos are available here. “American Idol” kicked off Season 9 live shows on ABC and Disney+ Monday night earning 86 million Total Viewers and a 0.42 rating among Adults 18-49, growing week to week in both measures (4.79 million and 0.41 rating in Adults 18-49 on 3/23/26). With the Top 20 hopefuls performing inspiring songs of faith, “American Idol” grew by double digits over the show’s audience on the same night last year (+11%; 4.36 million on 3/31/25) and also grew impressively over last season’s first Monday live show (+6%; vs. 4.57 million on 4/21/25). Season to date, “American Idol” averages 5.11 million Total Viewers and stands as one of the few shows to notch year-over-year gains this season (+5%; vs. 4.85 million). “American Idol” ranked as the No. 1 show on the night on broadcast and cable, scoring its largest margin of victory ever over NBC’s “The Voice” (+73% – 4.86 million vs. 2.81 million from 9-11 p.m.). In addition, “American Idol” more than doubled “The Voice”

Press Release - Ratings

April 1, 2026

American Idol: 911 (90s Judges’ Song Contest) (4/6)

MONDAY, APRIL 6 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “911 (90s Judges’ Song Contest)” (911) Logline: The Top 12 take on the “Judges’ Song Contest,” performing ’90s hits secretly picked by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie or Carrie Underwood. Plus, stars of ABC’s “TGIF” ’90s lineup hang with the hopefuls in the lounge as America votes for the Top 11. Extended Logline: The Top 12 are revealed and take on the “Judges’ Song Contest,” performing ’90s hits secretly picked by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie or Carrie Underwood. Plus, stars from ABC’s “TGIF” ’90s lineup — Andrea Barber (“Full House”), Mark Curry (“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”), Danielle Fishel (“Boy Meets World”), Danica McKellar (“The Wonder Years”), Holly Robinson Peete (“Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper”), Caroline Rhea (“Sabrina the Teenage Witch”) and Reginald VelJohnson (“Family Matters”) — join the hopefuls in the lounge as America votes live to reveal the Top 11; plus, performances from Jesse Frederick. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

March 30, 2026

American Idol: 912 (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) (4/13)

MONDAY, APRIL 13 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “912 (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)” (912) Logline: The Top 11 perform iconic hits from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees as America votes live for the Top 9. Inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026 ceremony are revealed. Extended Logline: The Top 11 are mentored by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo as they perform iconic hits from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends, while America votes live to decide the Top 9. Inductees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2026 are revealed, with special performances by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

March 19, 2026

American Idol: 908 (Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i - Part 1) (3/22) (Rebroadcast. OAD: 3/22/26)

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 8:01-10:02 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “908 (Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i – Part 1)” (908) (Rebroadcast. OAD: 3/22/26) Logline: As the competition continues at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi, Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer mentor the Top 20 hopefuls. Keke also serves as a guest judge, while Iam Tongi and Thunderstorm Artis perform. Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

March 16, 2026

American Idol: 910 (Songs of Faith) (3/30)

MONDAY, MARCH 30 8:00-10:02 p.m. EDT – American Idol: “910 (Songs of Faith)” (910) Logline: “American Idol” goes live on ABC and Disney+, showcasing the Idol hopefuls as they lift their voices in inspiring songs of faith. By the end of the night, only 12 finalists will continue on the journey to become the next singing sensation. (TV-PG, L) Stream episodes next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Media: Photos

Press Release - Primetime – Unscripted

American Idol

Releases

SEASON FINALE - American Idol: 916 (Grand Finale) (5/11)

‘American Idol’ Scores 5.3 Million Total Viewers With Biggest Audience in Over 2 Months During Taylor Swift Night

American Idol: 915 (Class of 2006: Reunion / Idol X DWTS) (5/4)

American Idol: 914 (Celebrating Taylor Swift on American Idol) (4/27)

American Idol: 913 (Disney Night) (4/20)

First-Ever ‘American Idol’ Simulcast on ABC and Disney+ Surges Double Digits

American Idol: 911 (90s Judges’ Song Contest) (4/6)

American Idol: 912 (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) (4/13)

American Idol: 908 (Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i - Part 1) (3/22) (Rebroadcast. OAD: 3/22/26)

American Idol: 910 (Songs of Faith) (3/30)

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