Sydney- Foxtel has snagged exclusive Australian broadcasting rights to American Idol from FremantleMedia, and the twice-weekly show will launch in mid-January on Fox8, aired within hours of its US premiere on Fox. Brian Walsh, Foxtel Executive Director Television and Marketing, said: “We are thrilled to add American Idol to FOX8’s dynamic 2008 schedule. What is most exciting for our subscribers is that American Idol will truly screen day and date. Australians will now be able to tune into this smash hit series at the same time that Americans will”. The new season of American Idol will showcase seven US cities as tens of thousands of hopeful singers try out until 12 wannabes set their sights on the big time. The debut of season 6 grabbed 37.4 million viewers in the US, with the finale attracting more than 30.7 million.