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. Network Ten, the home of Australian Idol, screened series 3, 4 and 5 of American Idol but elected not to take up an option for the new series. Brian Walsh, Foxtel Executive Director Television and Marketing, said: “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, seventh 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. Among the Asian broadcasters which air American Idol are MediaCorp Singapore, RCTI Indonesia, MediaPrima Malaysia, GMA Philippines, On Media Korea, Fox Japan, pan regional Star TV, and ATV Hong Kong.