After months of rumors and a bidding war between three of the four major networks, ABC has emerged as the new home of American Idol. Previously the singing competition ran for 15 seasons on Fox, although Disney fans will likely remember the American Idol Experience attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As Deadline reports, Ben Sherwood says the new season of Idol will be “bigger, bolder and better-than-ever,” adding, “American Idol on ABC… that has a nice ring to it. 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.” Similarly, Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment, said, “American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” she said. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”
Incidentally, former Idol host Ryan Seacrest was made a permanent co-host of ABC’s Live with Kelly and Ryan just last week. However, it seems unlikely that he’d return to the rebooted show given his already busy schedule (but never say never). Judges for the new incarnation of American Idol are also expected to be announced at a later day.
