ABC is bringing back American Idol. The network has closed an agreement with producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Together they will revive television’s most successful and recognised music competition series for the 2017-2018 season, bringing back the fan-favorite and making more dreams come true. A host and judges will be announced at a later time.
“American Idol on ABC…that has a nice ring to it,” said Ben Sherwood, co-chairman, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney|ABC. “Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.”
“American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realising their dreams.”
When American Idol debuted in the U.S., the series revolutionised television, pioneering the reality-competition genre and holding an unmatched record for being the highest-rated series for nearly a decade. The series also ushered in second-screen audience participation, being the first to introduce text-based and mobile voting. The Idol format has taken on original versions in 55 countries around the world, and American Idol itself has played to a worldwide audience of over 460 million across 53 countries.
To date, American Idol has earned 67 Emmy nominations and nine wins, including the prestigious Governors Award in 2016, and its talented discoveries have already won 14 Grammys, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award, among numerous other accolades.
American Idol’s profound effect on the music industry is far-reaching and continually growing, launching the careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, among many others. American Idol contestants have sold more than 60 million albums, resulting in more than 80 Platinum records and 95 Gold records. Its participants have generated more than 450 Billboard No. 1 hits and sold more than 260 million digital downloads.
American Idol has already been a beloved part of the Disney|ABC family, with The American Idol Experience taking residence at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park for five years. The live production featured park guests auditioning for Disney cast members and then performing in front of a live audience. The winner then received a Dream Ticket that granted them front-of-the-line privileges at future American Idol auditions. An impressive five Disney Dream Ticket contestants made it to the Top 24 in one season alone!
American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America’s Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide.
