American Idol is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller. Produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, it originally aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to April 7, 2016, spanning 15 seasons. After a two-year hiatus, the show was revived and began airing on ABC on March 11, 2018.
2001: Pop Idol Debuts in Britain
In 2001, Pop Idol, the British show that inspired American Idol, debuted in Britain with Nigel Lythgoe as showrunner and Simon Cowell as one of the judges. It became a success with the viewing public.
June 11, 2002: American Idol Premieres
On June 11, 2002, American Idol premiered on Fox. Created by Simon Fuller and produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, the show quickly gained popularity.
June 2002: 'American Idol' premieres
'American Idol' premiered in June 2002 and quickly became a surprise hit, drawing 9.9 million viewers for its first show and culminating in a finale watched by over 40 million people.
June 2002: American Idol Debuts
In June 2002, American Idol debuted as a summer replacement show on Fox, co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman, with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell.
September 4, 2002: Kelly Clarkson Wins American Idol
On September 4, 2002, Kelly Clarkson won the inaugural season of American Idol, beating Justin Guarini in the final showdown.
2002: American Idol Finals Venue
From 2002, the American Idol finals were broadcast from CBS Television City in Los Angeles.
2002: Low ratings since the first season
The results show in which Kristy Lee Cook was eliminated had the lowest-rated Wednesday show among the 18–34 demographic since the first season in 2002. The ratings for the show have seen various fluctuations since then.
2002: First season winner sings at Lincoln Memorial
In 2002, the decision to send the first season winner of American Idol to sing the national anthem at the Lincoln Memorial on the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks was poorly received by many critics.
January 2003: American Idol Season 2 Premieres
In January 2003, the second season of American Idol premiered, with Ryan Seacrest as the lone host after Brian Dunkleman left the show. Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returned.
2003: 'American Idol' loses Top 10 Nielsen position
By the end of the 2013–14 television season, 'American Idol' had lost its Top 10 position in the Nielsen ratings for the first time since its entry to the rankings in 2003.
2003: Continued Broadcast in Indonesia
In 2003, American Idol continued its broadcast in Indonesia on RCTI, maintaining its presence with Indonesian subtitles. This helped establish a strong viewer base in the country.
2003: American Idol Dominates Viewership
In 2003, American Idol overtook the Academy Awards as the most-watched non-sports entertainment event on U.S. television, marking a significant milestone in its history and emphasizing its popularity.
2003: From Justin to Kelly Released
In 2003, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini starred in the musical film From Justin to Kelly, which was released but widely panned.
2003: American Idol's Ratings Dominance Begins
Starting from the 2003 television season, American Idol's performance and result shows began their streak of being ranked number one in U.S. television ratings for eight consecutive years.
2003: Ryan Seacrest Becomes Sole Host
Starting in 2003 with the second season, Ryan Seacrest became the sole host of American Idol after Brian Dunkleman left the show.
2003: 'American Idol' viewership changes
The average viewership for the eleventh season fell below 20 million viewers for the first time since 2003, marking a significant decline in the show's popularity.
January 19, 2004: American Idol Season 3 Premieres
The third season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2004, with Ryan Seacrest as host and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returning.
2004: Fox achieves ratings victory
In 2004, 'American Idol's' success helped Fox achieve the longest period of 18–49 demographic victory in Nielsen ratings, marking eight straight years from 2004 to 2012.
2004: American Idol Becomes Most-Watched Show
By 2004, American Idol had become the most-watched show on U.S. television, a position it held for seven consecutive seasons until 2011.
2004: Broadcast of American Idol in the Philippines and Indonesia
In 2004, American Idol began airing in the Philippines on ABC 5 and in Indonesia on RCTI with Indonesian subtitles. This marked the start of its international broadcast in these countries.
2004: Voting Mechanism Criticism
In 2004, voting results on American Idol were a topic of significant controversy. Concerns about the voting mechanism, including power voting and influence from online communities like DialIdol and Vote for the Worst, were widely expressed, impacting the credibility of the results.
2004: American Idol Generates $900 Million in 2004
In 2004, American Idol was estimated to generate $900 million through sales of TV ads, albums, merchandise, and concert tickets. The show's success made it the most profitable show in U.S. TV during that time.
January 18, 2005: American Idol Season 4 Premieres
The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell.
May 2005: Carrie Underwood Wins American Idol
In May 2005, Carrie Underwood was announced the winner of American Idol, with Bo Bice as the runner-up. Underwood's coronation song, "Inside Your Heaven", made her the first country artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2005: American Idol's Music Distribution Partnership in 2005
In 2005, 19 Recordings partnered with Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) to promote and distribute recordings through its labels RCA Records, Arista Records, J Records, and Jive Records.
2005: American Idol wins People's Choice Award
In 2005, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2005: Fox's Dominance Begins
In 2005, American Idol's immense popularity began to lift Fox's ratings, making it the number one network for overall viewers and the key 18–49 demographic for the first of eight consecutive years.
January 17, 2006: American Idol Season 5 Premieres
The fifth season of American Idol premiered on January 17, 2006, with Ryan Seacrest as host and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. This season remains the highest-rated in the show's history.
May 30, 2006: Taylor Hicks Wins American Idol
On May 30, 2006, Taylor Hicks was named the winner of American Idol, with Katharine McPhee as the runner-up. Hicks' first single was "Do I Make You Proud" and McPhee's was "My Destiny".
September 30, 2006: American Idol Rewind Syndicated
Starting September 30, 2006, American Idol Rewind was syndicated directly to stations in the U.S.
2006: American Idol wins People's Choice Award
In 2006, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2006: Carrie Underwood wins Best Female Artist in Country Music Awards
In 2006, Carrie Underwood won Best Female Artist in Country Music Awards, which stirred some resentment in the industry, with some arguing she hadn't paid her dues long enough to fully deserve the award.
January 16, 2007: American Idol Season 6 Premieres
The sixth season of American Idol began on January 16, 2007, with Ryan Seacrest as host and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. The premiere drew an audience of 37.3 million viewers, peaking at over 41 million viewers.
May 24, 2007: Winning Song 'This Is My Now' Released
On May 24, 2007, the winning song of the American Idol Songwriter contest, 'This Is My Now', was performed by both finalists during the finale and released by Sparks.
2007: Idol: The Musical
In 2007, a musical based on American Idol, titled Idol: The Musical, played off-Broadway but closed after its official opening night.
2007: WGA strike impacts TV ratings
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike contributed to a fall in viewership across all networks, including 'American Idol,' which saw a 10% drop in overall ratings for season seven.
2007: American Idol receives multiple awards
In 2007, American Idol won a Creative Arts Emmy and a Governor's Award for its Idol Gives Back edition.
2007: Final Year of American Idol on ABC 5 in the Philippines
2007 marked the final year American Idol was broadcast on ABC 5 in the Philippines before moving to QTV in 2008. This shift was part of the show's ongoing changes in international broadcasting.
2007: Music Sales Impact
In 2007, American Idol alumni accounted for 2.1% of all music sales in the U.S., showcasing the show's influence on the music market.
January 15, 2008: Seventh Season Premiere
The seventh season of American Idol premiered on January 15, 2008, featuring a two-day, four-hour premiere. The season saw the return of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Media attention focused on contestants with previous professional experience, including Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, Michael Johns, and Carly Smithson.
March 11, 2008: New Stage and Set Debut
On March 11, 2008, American Idol debuted a new state-of-the-art set and stage for the finals, along with a new on-air look. David Cook's performance of 'Billie Jean', using the Chris Cornell arrangement, drew praise and some controversy over acknowledgment of its origin.
April 9, 2008: Idol Gives Back Raises $64 Million
On April 9, 2008, Idol Gives Back returned and successfully raised $64 million for charity.
May 21, 2008: David Cook Wins American Idol
David Cook was announced the winner of American Idol on May 21, 2008, making him the first rocker to win the show. Both Cook and runner-up David Archuleta went on to have successful recording careers, each selling over a million albums in the U.S.
May 22, 2008: Winning Song 'The Time of My Life' Released
The winning song of the American Idol Songwriter contest, 'The Time of My Life', was recorded by David Cook and released on May 22, 2008.
2008: Viewership Record
In 2008, American Idol once again surpassed the Academy Awards in viewership, continuing its streak as the most-watched non-sports entertainment event on U.S. television.
2008: American Idol's Network Changes in Australia and the Philippines
In 2008, American Idol was broadcast on Fox8 in Australia, shifting from Network Ten. Additionally, the show moved from ABC 5 to QTV in the Philippines. These changes reflected the show's evolving broadcast strategies in different regions.
2008: American Idol wins Creative Arts Emmy
In 2008, American Idol won a Creative Arts Emmy.
2008: Fox Becomes Number One Network
In 2008, the success of American Idol helped Fox become the number one U.S. TV network in overall viewers and among adults aged 18–49, maintaining this status for eight consecutive years from 2005 to 2012.
2008: 'American Idol' helps Fox dominate ratings
The strong finish of 'American Idol's' seventh season in 2008 helped Fox become the most-watched TV network in the United States for the first time, a significant milestone for a non-Big Three network.
January 13, 2009: Eighth Season Premiere
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. This season introduced Kara DioGuardi as a new fourth judge.
February 14, 2009: The American Idol Experience Opens at Disney
On February 14, 2009, The Walt Disney Company debuted 'The American Idol Experience' at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida. The live production allowed park guests to audition and perform, mimicking the real Idol experience.
2009: Popularity of American Idol in the Southern United States
In 2009, households in the Southeastern United States were 10% more likely to watch American Idol, with those in the East Central region, such as Kentucky, being 16% more likely to tune in.
2009: American Idol wins multiple Creative Arts Emmys
In 2009, American Idol won three Creative Arts Emmys and its director, Bruce Gower, won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series.
2009: Kara DioGuardi Joins as Judge
In the eighth season in 2009, Kara DioGuardi joined American Idol as a fourth judge. Paula Abdul left the show after this season.
January 12, 2010: Ninth Season Premiere
The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, joined by judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon Cowell. Ellen DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul starting from Hollywood Week. General Larry Platt's audition of 'Pants on the Ground' became a viral sensation.
January 2010: Idol contestants' CD sales analysis
By January 2010, data from Nielsen SoundScan showed that of the 47 million CDs sold by American Idol contestants, 85 percent were by contestants with ties to the American South.
April 21, 2010: Idol Gives Back Raises $45 Million
On April 21, 2010, Idol Gives Back returned and raised $45 million for charity.
2010: 'American Idol' maintains viewership despite declines
In the tenth season, 'American Idol' saw a drop in total viewer numbers for the first week, but later episodes retained viewers better. The season ended with a significant increase in viewership for the finale, despite the show's aging and less diverse demographics.
2010: NBC's Winter Olympics beats 'American Idol' in ratings
On February 17, 2010, NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics beat 'American Idol' in the same time slot with 30.1 million viewers compared to 'American Idol's' 18.4 million. Despite this, 'American Idol' remained the most-watched TV series for its ninth season.
2010: Harry Connick Jr. as Mentor
In 2010, Harry Connick Jr. served as a mentor for American Idol, providing guidance and advice to contestants.
2010: Ellen DeGeneres Joins and Leaves American Idol
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as a judge for the ninth season but left after just one season. Kara DioGuardi also left the show this year, and Simon Cowell departed to start The X Factor.
2010: American Idol wins People's Choice Award
In 2010, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2010: Radio Dominance
By 2010, four American Idol winners had achieved over a million radio spins each, with Kelly Clarkson leading with over four million spins, emphasizing the show's impact on radio.
2010: PepsiCo's Market Share Decline Due to Missing American Idol Sponsorship
By 2010, PepsiCo had fallen to third place in the U.S. market after declining to sponsor American Idol at the show's start. This decision was later seen as a major missed marketing opportunity.
January 19, 2011: Tenth Season Premiere
The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host. Randy Jackson was joined by new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler after the departures of Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and Ellen DeGeneres.
April 7, 2011: Pia Toscano's Unexpected Elimination
On April 7, 2011, Pia Toscano, one of the favorites to advance far in the season, was unexpectedly eliminated in ninth place. Her elimination drew criticism from former Idol contestants and actor Tom Hanks.
2011: American Idol wins Critics' Choice Television Award
In 2011, American Idol won the first Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Reality Competition and also received two Creative Arts Emmys.
2011: Broadcast by B-Channel in Indonesia
From 2011, American Idol was broadcast by B-Channel (now RTV) in Indonesia. This change marked a new chapter in the show's regional broadcast history.
January 18, 2012: Eleventh Season Premiere
The eleventh season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2012, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host. Judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson also returned. The season featured a Top 25 instead of a Top 24, with Jermaine Jones later disqualified for concealing arrests.
2012: Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler Leave
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler left the judging panel after two seasons. They were replaced by Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban for the twelfth season.
2012: Broadcast on ETC in the Philippines
Starting in 2012, American Idol was broadcast on ETC in the Philippines, continuing until 2016. This period marked another phase in the show's regional broadcast history.
2012: Analysis of Idol contestants' origins
In 2012, an analysis found that 48% of the 131 contestants who had appeared in the finals of American Idol up to that point had some connection to the Southern United States.
2012: American Idol's ratings drop
In 2012, 'American Idol' experienced a significant ratings drop due to competition from new shows like 'The Voice' and 'The X Factor,' losing its leading position in total viewers and the 18–49 demographic for the first time in eight years.
2012: Harry Connick Jr. as Mentor
In 2012, Harry Connick Jr. returned to American Idol to serve as a mentor once again, helping contestants to improve their performances.
2012: End of Dominance in Primetime
In 2012, American Idol's reign as the most-watched non-scripted primetime television series came to an end, concluding nearly a decade of record-breaking viewership from 2003 to 2012.
2012: American Idol wins People's Choice Award
In 2012, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2012: End of Fox's Streak
In 2012, Fox's streak of being the number one network, heavily supported by American Idol, came to an end after eight consecutive years of dominance.
January 16, 2013: Twelfth Season Premiere
On January 16, 2013, the twelfth season of American Idol premiered. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Randy Jackson was the only judge from the previous season to come back. The judging panel for this season included Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, and Nicki Minaj.
2013: 'American Idol' ratings decline
In the twelfth season, 'American Idol' hit a series low in the 18–49 demographic. The season averaged 13.3 million viewers, a 24% drop from the previous season.
2013: American Idol ranked among the best series of all time
In 2013, TV Guide ranked American Idol No. 48 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time.
2013: Return to Network Ten in Australia
In 2013, American Idol returned to Network Ten in Australia after a period of airing on Fox8. This move was part of the show's ongoing broadcast strategy adjustments.
January 15, 2014: Thirteenth Season Premiere
The thirteenth season of American Idol premiered on January 15, 2014. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Keith Urban was the only judge to return from the previous season. Jennifer Lopez rejoined the panel, and Harry Connick Jr. made his debut as a judge.
August 2014: Yes TV Picks Up Canadian Rights to American Idol
In August 2014, Yes TV announced that it had acquired the Canadian rights to air American Idol starting with the 2015 season, following CTV's decision to drop the show after its thirteenth season.
August 30, 2014: The American Idol Experience Closes at Disney
On August 30, 2014, 'The American Idol Experience' at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida closed after several years of operation, having provided park guests with a chance to audition and perform like on the show.
2014: Ad Revenue Drops for American Idol in 2014
By 2014, ad revenue for American Idol had fallen to $427 million, with a 30-second spot going for less than $300,000. This marked a significant decline from its peak advertising rates in earlier seasons.
2014: Broadcast on Eleven in Australia
In 2014, the thirteenth season of American Idol was broadcast on Eleven, a digital sister channel to Network Ten in Australia. This was part of the show's continual adaptation to new broadcasting platforms.
2014: Randy Jackson Returns as Mentor
In 2014, Randy Jackson returned to American Idol as a mentor for the thirteenth season after serving as a judge for twelve seasons.
January 7, 2015: Fourteenth Season Premiere
On January 7, 2015, the fourteenth season of American Idol premiered. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. resumed their roles as judges. Adam Lambert filled in for Keith Urban during the New York City auditions.
May 11, 2015: Final Season Announcement
On May 11, 2015, Fox announced that the fifteenth season of American Idol would be the final season. The season aimed to highlight the program's alumni and featured a returning panel of judges: Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez.
2015: Carrie Underwood's Success
As of 2015, Carrie Underwood became the most successful American Idol contestant in the U.S., selling 16 million albums in the country and a total of 65 million records worldwide.
January 6, 2016: Fifteenth Season Premiere
The fifteenth and final season of American Idol premiered on January 6, 2016, with Ryan Seacrest hosting and Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez returning as judges. This season was shortened by four weeks compared to previous years.
April 7, 2016: American Idol Ends on Fox
American Idol concluded its 15-season run on Fox on April 7, 2016. The show had been a significant part of the network's lineup since its debut in 2002.
April 2016: American Idol Ends on Fox
After experiencing declining ratings since 2012, American Idol ended its run on Fox in April 2016 after 15 seasons.
2016: Grammy Award Success
By the end of its original run in 2016, American Idol alumni had won 13 Grammy Awards from 54 nominations, with Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson earning 10 of those awards.
2016: 'American Idol' fails to regain Top 10 position
By the series' end in 2016, 'American Idol' had never regained its Top 10 position in the Nielsen ratings after dropping out in the 2013–14 television season.
2016: Billboard Chart Success
In 2016, American Idol alumni had achieved 458 number one hits on the Billboard charts, with Kelly Clarkson alone contributing 100 of these hits, marking a significant impact on the music industry.
2016: American Idol concludes its run
In 2016, American Idol concluded its run. Despite a significant drop in ratings over the years, the show rebounded in its final season. It ended as Fox's first-ever program to conclude without dropping from the Nielsen Top 30 most-watched television shows in each of its seasons.
2016: Show Cancelled After Fifteenth Season
In 2016, American Idol was cancelled after its fifteenth season, marking the end of an era for the popular singing competition show.
2016: Brian Dunkleman Returns for Series Finale
In 2016, Brian Dunkleman returned as a guest for the initial series finale of American Idol on Fox.
2016: Final Season Airs on Fox8 in Australia
The final season of American Idol aired on Fox8 in Australia in 2016, a few hours after the U.S. broadcast. This marked the end of the show's run in the Australian market.
2016: Impact on Singing Competitions
By 2016, the success of American Idol had inspired numerous imitating singing competition shows, such as The Voice and The X Factor, with a total of 17 similar shows on American TV.
2016: Record Sales Achievement
At the end of its original run in 2016, American Idol contestants had sold more than 60 million albums in the U.S. and over 100 million records globally, with over 175 records certified platinum or gold.
May 2017: ABC Acquires American Idol
In May 2017, ABC acquired the rights to American Idol, leading to the show's return for the 2017-18 television season.
May 2017: ABC Bids to Revive American Idol
In May 2017, ABC made a bid to revive American Idol, acquiring the rights to the series. The show was set to return for the 2017–18 television season.
July 2017: Ryan Seacrest Returns as Host
In July 2017, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would return as the host of American Idol for the revived series.
September 2017: Judges Announced for Revival
By September 2017, it was revealed that the judging panel for the revived American Idol would include Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
March 11, 2018: American Idol Revival on ABC
After a two-year hiatus, American Idol returned on March 11, 2018, with a revival airing on ABC. This marked the start of the show's new era on a different network.
May 21, 2018: Sixteenth Season Finale
On May 21, 2018, the sixteenth season of American Idol concluded with Maddie Poppe crowned as the winner. Caleb Lee Hutchinson was the runner-up, and Gabby Barrett finished in third place. Maddie's winning song was 'Going, Going, Gone'.
2018: Ryan Seacrest Returns as Sole Host
After a two-year hiatus between 2016 and 2018, Ryan Seacrest returned as the sole host of American Idol.
2018: American Idol Returns to ETC in the Philippines
American Idol returned to ETC in the Philippines in 2018, continuing a previous broadcast arrangement that had ended in 2016. This return signified the show's sustained popularity in the region.
March 3, 2019: Seventeenth Season Premiere
The seventeenth season of American Idol premiered on March 3, 2019. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie continuing as judges.
April 8, 2019: Bobby Bones Substitutes for Ryan Seacrest
On April 8, 2019, Bobby Bones substituted for Ryan Seacrest as the host of American Idol after Seacrest fell ill.
May 13, 2019: Eighteenth Season Renewal
On May 13, 2019, ABC renewed American Idol for its eighteenth season. This was notable as the show adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, with contestants performing from their homes.
May 19, 2019: Seventeenth Season Finale
On May 19, 2019, the seventeenth season of American Idol concluded. Laine Hardy was crowned the winner, with Alejandro Aranda as the runner-up. This season marked the first time there were no separate performance and grand finale shows.
June 28, 2019: Alejandro Aranda Releases 'Tonight'
On June 28, 2019, Alejandro Aranda, under the name Scarypoolparty, released the song 'Tonight', which he performed during the finale of American Idol.
2019: American Idol Finals Venue
In 2019, the American Idol finals continued to be broadcast from CBS Television City.
February 16, 2020: Eighteenth Season Premiere
The eighteenth season of American Idol premiered on February 16, 2020. This season was unique as contestants performed from their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 15, 2020: Nineteenth Season Renewal
On May 15, 2020, ABC renewed American Idol for its nineteenth season. This season featured the return of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
February 14, 2021: Nineteenth Season Premiere
The nineteenth season of American Idol premiered on February 14, 2021. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, and Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie continued as judges.
May 13, 2021: ABC renewed 'American Idol' for a twentieth season
On May 13, 2021, ABC renewed 'American Idol' for its twentieth season. This season saw the return of Ryan Seacrest as host, and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
2021: American Idol Finals Venue
In 2021, the American Idol finals were once again held at CBS Television City.
February 27, 2022: 'American Idol' season 20 premiere
The twentieth season of 'American Idol' premiered on February 27, 2022, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie continuing as judges.
May 13, 2022: ABC renewed 'American Idol' for a twenty-first season
On May 13, 2022, ABC announced the renewal of 'American Idol' for its twenty-first season, with Ryan Seacrest, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie returning.
2022: American Idol Finals Venue
In 2022, the American Idol finals were held at CBS Television City.
February 19, 2023: 'American Idol' season 21 premiere
The twenty-first season of 'American Idol' premiered on February 19, 2023, with Ryan Seacrest hosting, and Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie as judges.
May 16, 2023: ABC renewed 'American Idol' for a twenty-second season
On May 16, 2023, ABC renewed 'American Idol' for its twenty-second season, continuing the show's long-running presence on television.
2023: American Idol Finals Venue
Starting in 2023, the American Idol finals venue changed to Red Studios in Los Angeles.
February 2024: Katy Perry Announces Likely Last Season
In February 2024, Katy Perry announced that the twenty-second season of American Idol was likely to be her last as a judge.
February 2024: Katy Perry announces her last season on 'American Idol'
In February 2024, Katy Perry announced that the twenty-second season would be her last as a judge on 'American Idol.'
February 18, 2024: 'American Idol' season 22 premiere
The twenty-second season of 'American Idol' premiered on February 18, 2024, continuing with Ryan Seacrest as host and judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
May 10, 2024: ABC renewed 'American Idol' for a twenty-third season
On May 10, 2024, ABC renewed 'American Idol' for its twenty-third season and announced that high-profile stars were being considered to replace Katy Perry as a judge.
May 2024: Seven Seasons Aired on ABC
By May 2024, American Idol had aired seven seasons on ABC since its revival in 2018.
May 2024: Search for new 'American Idol' judge begins
In May 2024, ABC confirmed they were in talks with high-profile stars to replace outgoing judge Katy Perry for the upcoming season.
2024: Broadway and Awards Success
As of 2024, American Idol finalists had achieved significant success in musical theater and various entertainment awards, with Jennifer Hudson becoming the first and only Idol alumnus to win the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).
2024: Historic Viewership Achievement
As of 2024, American Idol remains the last regular non-sports primetime series to have achieved such high viewership, a record it set in the early 2000s.