History of American Idol in Timeline
American Idol is a singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller. Produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, it originally aired on Fox for 15 seasons (2002-2016). After a two-year hiatus, the show was revived and began airing on ABC in 2018. The show discovers new solo recording artists.
2001: Pop Idol Debuts in Britain
In 2001, Pop Idol debuted in Britain, created by Simon Fuller, with Nigel Lythgoe as showrunner and Simon Cowell as one of the judges, proving successful with the viewing public.
2001: Pop Idol Format Proposed to US Television Networks
In 2001, Simon Fuller, Simon Cowell, and TV producer Simon Jones attempted to sell the Pop Idol format to the United States; however, the idea was initially met with poor responses from all the television networks including UPN and Fox.
June 11, 2002: American Idol Series Premiere
On June 11, 2002, American Idol, a singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, first aired on Fox.
June 2002: American Idol Premieres
In June 2002, American Idol premiered and became a surprise hit. The first show had 9.9 million viewers, and the finale averaged 23 million, with over 40 million watching some part of it.
September 4, 2002: Kelly Clarkson Wins American Idol
On September 4, 2002, Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol, defeating Justin Guarini in the final showdown.
2002: American Idol Finals Broadcast from CBS Television City
From 2002 the finals of American Idol were broadcast in primetime from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, in front of a live studio audience.
2002: American Idol Airs on Network Ten in Australia
From 2002 to 2008, American Idol aired on Network Ten in Australia.
2002: American Idol Airs on Fox and CTV
From 2002, American Idol was aired live in Canada by CTV and/or CTV Two, in simulcast with Fox.
2002: Lowest Rated Show
In 2002, American Idol had the lowest-rated Wednesday show among the 18-34 demographic since the first season.
2002: Mixed Early Reviews and Criticism
In 2002, American Idol received mixed early reviews, with some critics praising its entertainment value and talent discovery, while others criticized its commercialism and product placement. The decision to have the winner sing the national anthem at the Lincoln Memorial on the anniversary of 9/11 also drew criticism.
2002: American Idol: The Search for a Superstar Debuts
In the summer of 2002, American Idol: The Search for a Superstar debuted on Fox after Rupert Murdoch was persuaded to buy the series by his daughter, Elisabeth. Nigel Lythgoe became the showrunner.
January 2003: Season 2 Premieres, Dunkleman Departs
In January 2003, the second season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest as the sole host, and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell returning as judges. Kristin Adams joined as a correspondent.
2003: American Idol Airs on RCTI in Indonesia
From 2002 to 2003, American Idol aired on RCTI in Indonesia with Indonesian subtitles.
2003: Nielsen Rankings Decline
In 2003, American Idol lost its Top 10 position in the Nielsen ratings by the end of the 2013–14 television season for the first time since its entry to the rankings
2003: American Idol Overtakes Academy Awards in Viewership
In 2003, American Idol surpassed the Academy Awards as the most-watched non-sports entertainment event on U.S. television, breaking records typically dominated by drama shows and sitcoms.
2003: Seacrest Becomes Sole Host
In 2003, Brian Dunkleman quit American Idol, resulting in Ryan Seacrest becoming the sole emcee starting with the second season.
2003: From Justin to Kelly Released
In 2003, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini starred in "From Justin to Kelly", a musical film that was widely panned.
2003: Ruben Studdard's Album Success
In 2003, Ruben Studdard's album, Soulful, reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200.
2003: Average Viewership Drops Below 20 Million
In 2003, the average viewership for American Idol fell below 20 million viewers for the first time since 2003, marking a drop of 23% in total viewers.
January 19, 2004: Season 3 Premieres
On January 19, 2004, the third season of American Idol premiered, featuring Ryan Seacrest as host and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell as judges. William Hung, whose off-key rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" became popular, also became a contestant.
2004: American Idol Becomes Most-Watched Show on American Television
By 2004, American Idol had become the most-watched show on American television.
2004: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
From 2004 to 2007, American Idol was broadcast in Philippines on ABC.
2004: Fox Achieves Nielsen Ratings Victory
From 2004 to 2012, American Idol helped Fox achieve the longest period of 18-49 demographic victory in the Nielsen ratings, standing at 8 straight years.
2004: American Idol Estimated to Generate $900 Million
In 2004, American Idol was estimated to generate $900 million through TV ad sales, albums, merchandise, and concert tickets.
2004: Concerns About Power Voting Expressed
In 2004, concerns about power voting in American Idol started to become apparent, affecting the voting results to a limited degree through online communities such as DialIdol and Vote for the Worst.
January 18, 2005: Season 4 Premieres in High Definition
On January 18, 2005, the fourth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest as host and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell as judges. This was the first full season to be aired in high definition.
May 2005: Carrie Underwood Wins Season 4
In May 2005, Carrie Underwood won the fourth season of American Idol, with Bo Bice as the runner-up. Both released the coronation song "Inside Your Heaven."
2005: BMG Partners with Sony Music Entertainment
From 2005, Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) partnered with Sony Music Entertainment to form Sony BMG Music Entertainment, which distributed American Idol's music.
2005: Fox Leads Key Demographic for First Time
In 2005, American Idol helped Fox become the number one U.S. TV network among adults aged 18–49, the key demographic coveted by advertisers.
2005: People's Choice Award Win
In 2005, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
January 17, 2006: Season 5 Begins
On January 17, 2006, the fifth season of American Idol began with Ryan Seacrest as host and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell as judges. This season remains the highest-rated in the show's history.
May 30, 2006: Taylor Hicks Wins Season 5
On May 30, 2006, Taylor Hicks was named American Idol, with Katharine McPhee as the runner-up. Hicks released "Do I Make You Proud" as his first single and McPhee's was "My Destiny".
September 30, 2006: American Idol Rewind Syndicated
Starting September 30, 2006, the first season of American Idol was repackaged as "American Idol Rewind" and syndicated directly to stations in the U.S.
2006: People's Choice Award Win
In 2006, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2006: LeAnn Rimes Comments on Carrie Underwood's CMA Win
In 2006, LeAnn Rimes commented on Carrie Underwood winning Best Female Artist in the Country Music Awards, suggesting that Underwood had not "paid her dues" long enough to deserve the award, reflecting a broader industry sentiment about the fast-track success offered by shows like American Idol.
January 16, 2007: Season 6 Premieres with Massive Viewership
On January 16, 2007, the sixth season of American Idol began with Ryan Seacrest as host and Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell as judges. The premiere drew 37.3 million viewers, peaking at over 41 million in the last half hour.
May 24, 2007: Release of "This Is My Now"
On May 24, 2007, "This Is My Now", the winning song from the American Idol Songwriter contest, was released by Sparks. The song was also performed by both finalists during the finale.
2007: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
From 2004 to 2007, American Idol was broadcast in Philippines on ABC.
2007: BMG Partners with Sony Music Entertainment
From 2005–2007, Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) partnered with Sony Music Entertainment to form Sony BMG Music Entertainment, which distributed American Idol's music.
2007: American Idol Alumni Account for 2.1% of All Music Sales
In 2007, American Idol alums accounted for 2.1% of all music sales, showcasing the show's impact on the music industry.
2007: Creative Arts Emmy and Governor's Award
In 2007, American Idol won a Creative Arts Emmy and a Governor's Award for its Idol Gives Back edition.
2007: Idol: The Musical Premieres and Closes Off-Broadway
In 2007, Idol: The Musical, a musical based on the American Idol TV-show, played off-Broadway but closed after its official opening night.
2007: Jordin Sparks Wins Season 6
In 2007, Jordin Sparks won American Idol. It would be several years before another female won American Idol.
2007: Ratings Rebound and Strike
In 2007, the ratings rebounded for the seventh-season finale with the excitement over the battle of the Davids, and improved over the sixth season as the series' third most watched finale. Due in part to the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, overall ratings for the season were down 10% from the sixth season.
January 15, 2008: Season 7 Premiere
On January 15, 2008, the seventh season of American Idol premiered with a two-day, four-hour event. Ryan Seacrest returned as host, along with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Media attention focused on contestants with prior recording contracts.
March 11, 2008: New Set and Stage Debut
On March 11, 2008, American Idol debuted a new state-of-the-art set and stage, along with a new on-air look, for the finals.
April 9, 2008: Idol Gives Back Returns
On April 9, 2008, Idol Gives Back returned and raised $64 million for charity.
May 21, 2008: David Cook Wins Season 7
On May 21, 2008, David Cook was announced as the winner of American Idol, becoming the first rocker to win the show.
May 22, 2008: Release of "The Time of My Life"
On May 22, 2008, "The Time of My Life", the winning song from the American Idol Songwriter contest, was recorded by David Cook and released.
2008: Sony Music Handles Distribution
From 2008, following their acquisition of BMG, Sony Music handled the distribution of American Idol's music.
2008: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
From 2008–11, American Idol was broadcast in Philippines on QTV, then GMA News TV.
2008: American Idol Overtakes Academy Awards Viewership Again
In 2008, American Idol once again surpassed the Academy Awards as the most-watched non-sports entertainment event on U.S. television.
2008: Fox Becomes Number One U.S. TV Network
In 2008, American Idol pushed Fox to become the number one U.S. TV network in overall viewers.
2008: Creative Arts Emmy Win
In 2008, American Idol won a Creative Arts Emmy.
2008: Writer's Guild Strike
In 2008, The 2007-2008 Writer's Guild Strike was a contributing factor to the fall in viewership across all networks
January 13, 2009: Season 8 Premiere
On January 13, 2009, the eighth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, along with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Kara DioGuardi was introduced as a fourth judge.
February 14, 2009: The American Idol Experience Debuts at Disney's Hollywood Studios
On February 14, 2009, The Walt Disney Company launched "The American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios, offering guests a chance to audition and perform on a replicated Idol set.
2009: Bruce Gower Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2009, Bruce Gower won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series for American Idol. The show also won three Creative Arts Emmys that year.
2009: Changes for Season 8
In 2009, Nigel Lythgoe left as executive producer to focus on international versions of So You Think You Can Dance. The Hollywood round was moved to the Kodak Theatre and extended to two weeks. Idol Gives Back was canceled due to the global recession.
2009: Abdul Leaves American Idol
In 2009, after the eighth season, Paula Abdul left American Idol due to disagreements with show producers over contract terms. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres replaced Abdul for the ninth season.
2009: Popularity in the Southern United States
In 2009, during the eighth season, households in the Southeastern United States were 10% more likely to watch American Idol, and those in the East Central region were 16% more likely to watch.
January 12, 2010: Season 9 Premiere
On January 12, 2010, the ninth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, along with judges Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Simon Cowell. Ellen DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul at the start of Hollywood Week.
January 2010: CD Sales Analysis
As of January 2010, Nielsen SoundScan data showed that 85 percent of the 47 million CDs sold by American Idol contestants were by those with ties to the American South.
April 21, 2010: Idol Gives Back Returns
On April 21, 2010, Idol Gives Back returned and raised $45 million. That same week, Adam Lambert was invited back as a mentor.
2010: PepsiCo Falls to Third Place in Market Share
By 2010, PepsiCo's decision not to sponsor American Idol earlier, contributed to Pepsi losing market share, falling to third place in the United States.
2010: American Idol Alumni Surpass One Million Radio Spins
By 2010, four American Idol winners had each surpassed one million radio spins, with Kelly Clarkson leading with over four million spins.
2010: People's Choice Award Win
In 2010, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2010: Changes in Judging Panel
In 2010, Ellen DeGeneres left American Idol after one season, Kara DioGuardi was let go after two seasons, and Simon Cowell left to launch the American version of The X Factor.
2010: Harry Connick Jr. as Mentor
In 2010, Harry Connick Jr. served as a mentor for Idol.
2010: Ratings Defeat by Winter Olympics
In 2010, NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics beat American Idol in the ratings, drawing 30.1 million viewers compared to Idol's 18.4 million. Despite this, American Idol finished its ninth season as the most-watched TV series for the sixth year running.
2010: UMG Replaces Sony as Music Label
In 2010, UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M Records replaced Sony as the music label for American Idol.
2010: Viewer Demographic Changes
In 2010, the median age of American Idol viewers reached 47.2, compared to 32.1 in its first season, and the demographics became less diverse, although Fox maintained its lead in the 18–49 demographic ratings in the United States.
January 19, 2011: Season 10 Premiere
On January 19, 2011, the tenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and Randy Jackson returning as a judge. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined Randy Jackson as judges.
April 7, 2011: Pia Toscano's Elimination
On April 7, 2011, Pia Toscano, a presumed favorite, was unexpectedly eliminated in ninth place. Her elimination drew criticism from former Idol contestants and actor Tom Hanks.
2011: American Idol Airs on B-Channel in Indonesia
From 2011 to 2013, American Idol was broadcast by B-Channel (now RTV) in Indonesia.
2011: Creative Arts Emmys and Critics' Choice Television Award
In 2011, American Idol won two Creative Arts Emmys and the first Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Reality Competition.
2011: End of American Idol's Reign as Most-Watched Show
In 2011, American Idol's seven-year run as the most-watched show on American television ended.
2011: Scotty McCreery Wins Season 10
In 2011, Scotty McCreery won the competition, with Lauren Alaina as runner-up. McCreery released "I Love You This Big", and Alaina released "Like My Mother Does".
2011: Simon Cowell to introduce The X Factor in the US
In 2011, Simon Cowell introduced the American version of his show The X Factor.
January 18, 2012: Season 11 Premiere
On January 18, 2012, the eleventh season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson returning as judges. One more finalist would join the Top 24 making it the Top 25.
2012: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
From 2012–16, American Idol was broadcast in Philippines on ETC.
2012: Fox's Nielsen Ratings Streak
In 2012, American Idol helped Fox achieve the longest period of 18-49 demographic victory in the Nielsen ratings, standing at 8 straight years.
2012: People's Choice Award Win
In 2012, American Idol won the People's Choice Award for favorite competition/reality show.
2012: American Idol's Primetime Dominance Ends
In 2012, American Idol's almost decade-long run as the most watched non-scripted primetime television series came to an end, after holding the title since 2003.
2012: American Idol ratings decline begins
In 2012, American Idol's ratings began to decline.
2012: Fox's Eight-Year Reign Ends
In 2012, American Idol's success ended Fox's unprecedented eight consecutive years (from 2005) as the leading U.S. TV network among adults aged 18–49.
2012: Harry Connick Jr. as Mentor
In 2012, Harry Connick Jr. served as a mentor for Idol.
2012: Lopez and Tyler Leave Judging Panel
In 2012, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler both left the American Idol judging panel after two seasons.
2012: Southern Connection Analysis
In 2012, an analysis revealed that 48% of the 131 American Idol finalists up to that point had connections to the Southern United States.
January 16, 2013: Season 12 Premiere
On January 16, 2013, the twelfth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and Randy Jackson returning as a judge. The judging panel consisted of Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj.
2013: American Idol Airs on Network Ten in Australia
In 2013, American Idol aired again on Network Ten in Australia.
2013: American Idol Suffers Demographic Decline
In 2013, American Idol suffered a significant decline in the 18-49 demographic, with a drop of 28% from the twelfth season.
2013: TV Guide Ranks American Idol
In 2013, TV Guide ranked American Idol No. 48 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time.
January 15, 2014: Season 13 Premiere
On January 15, 2014, the thirteenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and Keith Urban returning as a judge. Former judge Jennifer Lopez and former mentor Harry Connick, Jr. joined Urban on the panel.
August 2014: Yes TV Picks Up Canadian Rights
In August 2014, Yes TV announced that it had picked up the Canadian rights to American Idol, beginning in its 2015 season, after CTV dropped the show after its thirteenth season.
August 30, 2014: The American Idol Experience Closes
On August 30, 2014, The American Idol Experience attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios closed its doors after several years of operation.
2014: Ad Revenue Falls to $427 Million
By 2014, ad revenue from American Idol had fallen to $427 million, with a 30-second spot costing less than $300,000, reflecting a decline in viewership.
2014: American Idol Airs on Eleven in Australia
From 2014 to 2015, American Idol aired on digital channel Eleven, a sister channel to Network Ten, in Australia.
2014: Jackson Returns as Mentor, Then Leaves Permanently
In 2014, after departing the judges table after twelve seasons, Randy Jackson returned as the in-house mentor for the thirteenth season, after which he left American Idol permanently.
January 7, 2015: Season 14 Premiere
On January 7, 2015, the fourteenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. returning as judges.
May 11, 2015: Final Season Announcement
On May 11, 2015, Fox announced that the fifteenth season would be the final season of American Idol.
2015: Carrie Underwood's Record Sales
As of 2015, Carrie Underwood has sold 16 million albums in the U.S. and 65 million records worldwide, making her the most successful American Idol contestant in the U.S.
2015: American Idol on Yes TV in Canada
Starting in 2015, Yes TV began airing American Idol in Canada after picking up the rights in August 2014.
January 6, 2016: Season 15 Premiere
On January 6, 2016, the fifteenth and final season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, with Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban, and Jennifer Lopez all returning as judges.
April 7, 2016: American Idol Concludes 15 Season Run on Fox
April 7, 2016 marked the end of American Idol's 15-season run on Fox after airing since 2002.
April 2016: American Idol Ends Run on Fox
In April 2016, the fifteenth season of American Idol concluded on Fox.
2016: American Idol Alumni Achieve 458 Number Ones on Billboard Charts
By 2016, the last year of broadcast for American Idol, its alumni had achieved 458 number one hits on the Billboard charts.
2016: Number of Imitative Singing Shows Reaches 17
By 2016, the number of imitative singing shows on American television, spurred by the success of American Idol, had reached 17.
2016: American Idol Alumni Achievements
By the end of its original run in 2016, American Idol alumni had secured 13 Grammy Award wins out of 54 Grammy nominations.
2016: American Idol Contestants Sales Figures
By the end of its original run on Fox in 2016, American Idol contestants had sold more than 60 million albums in the U.S. and over 100 million records globally.
2016: American Idol Airs on Fox
From 2002-2016, American Idol was aired live in several countries simulcast with the U.S. broadcast on Fox.
2016: End of Top 10 Nielsen Ranking
In 2016, American Idol ended and never regained its Top 10 position by the series' end.
2016: American Idol Cancelled After Fifteenth Season
In 2016, American Idol was cancelled after its fifteenth season.
2016: American Idol Airs on Fox8 in Australia
In 2016, American Idol's final season aired on Fox8 in Australia, hours after the original U.S. broadcast.
2016: Dunkleman Returns for Series Finale
In 2016, Brian Dunkleman returned to American Idol as a guest for the initial series finale on Fox.
May 2017: ABC Acquires Rights to American Idol
In May 2017, ABC acquired the rights to American Idol.
May 2017: ABC Bids to Revive American Idol
In May 2017, ABC made a bid to revive American Idol after talks with Fremantle Media stalled. ABC acquired the rights to the series, and American Idol returned 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 host of American Idol's revival.
September 2017: Judges Announced
In September 2017, it was revealed that Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie would serve as judges for the American Idol revival.
2017: American Idol Returns to CTV Two
In 2017, it was announced that American Idol would return to CTV Two for its sixteenth season.
March 11, 2018: American Idol Revival on ABC
On March 11, 2018, American Idol returned to television after a hiatus, with a revival of the series airing on ABC.
March 2018: American Idol Returns on ABC
In March 2018, American Idol returned for its sixteenth season on ABC.
May 21, 2018: Maddie Poppe Wins Season 16
On May 21, 2018, Maddie Poppe was crowned the winner of season 16, with Caleb Lee Hutchinson as runner-up and Gabby Barrett in third place. Her winning song was "Going, Going, Gone". Caleb Lee Hutchinson released "Johnny Cash Heart" as a single, while Gabby Barrett's song was "Rivers Deep".
2018: American Idol Airs on ABC
From 2018, American Idol was aired live in several countries simulcast with the U.S. broadcast on ABC.
2018: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
From 2018–19, American Idol was broadcast in Philippines on ETC.
2018: Seacrest Continues Hosting Role
In 2018, Ryan Seacrest continued his role as the sole host of American Idol after the two-year hiatus.
2018: American Idol Revived with New Judges
In 2018, when American Idol was revived by ABC, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were selected as judges for the sixteenth season.
March 3, 2019: Season 17 Premiere
On March 3, 2019, the seventeenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returning as judges.
April 8, 2019: Bobby Bones Subs for Ryan Seacrest
On April 8, 2019, during the seventeenth season, Bobby Bones subbed for Ryan Seacrest as host of American Idol after Seacrest fell ill.
May 13, 2019: Season 18 Renewal
On May 13, 2019, the series was renewed for an eighteenth season.
May 19, 2019: Laine Hardy Wins Season 17
On May 19, 2019, Laine Hardy was crowned the winner of season 17, with Alejandro Aranda as runner-up. Hardy released a single, "Flame", immediately after the win.
June 28, 2019: Aranda Releases "Tonight"
On June 28, 2019, Alejandro Aranda released a song he performed in the finale, "Tonight", under the name Scarypoolparty.
2019: American Idol Finals Broadcast from CBS Television City
Until 2019 the finals of American Idol were broadcast in primetime from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, in front of a live studio audience.
February 16, 2020: Season 18 Premiere
On February 16, 2020, the eighteenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returning as judges.
May 15, 2020: Season 19 Renewal
On May 15, 2020, ABC renewed the series for a nineteenth season.
February 14, 2021: Season 19 Premiere
On February 14, 2021, the nineteenth season of American Idol premiered with Ryan Seacrest returning as host, and Bryan, Perry and Richie returning as judges.
May 13, 2021: American Idol Renewed for Season 20
On May 13, 2021, ABC officially renewed American Idol for a twentieth season. The renewal confirmed that Seacrest would return as host, with Bryan, Perry, and Richie also returning as judges.
2021: American Idol Finals Broadcast from CBS Television City
In 2021 the finals of American Idol were broadcast in primetime from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, in front of a live studio audience.
February 27, 2022: American Idol Season 20 Premiere
On February 27, 2022, season 20 of American Idol premiered on ABC, featuring Ryan Seacrest as host and Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie as judges.
May 13, 2022: American Idol Renewed for Season 21
On May 13, 2022, ABC renewed American Idol for a twenty-first season, ensuring the return of Ryan Seacrest as host, alongside judges Bryan, Perry, and Richie.
2022: American Idol Finals Broadcast from CBS Television City
In 2022 the finals of American Idol were broadcast in primetime from CBS Television City in Los Angeles, in front of a live studio audience.
February 19, 2023: American Idol Season 21 Premiere
On February 19, 2023, the twenty-first season of American Idol premiered. Ryan Seacrest resumed his role as host, while Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie returned as judges.
May 16, 2023: American Idol Renewed for Season 22
On May 16, 2023, ABC announced the renewal of American Idol for its twenty-second season, confirming the return of Ryan Seacrest as host, with Bryan, Perry, and Richie continuing as judges.
2023: American Idol Finals Broadcast from Red Studios
Starting in 2023, the venue for the finals of American Idol changed to Red Studios.
February 2024: Katy Perry Announces Exit
In February 2024, Katy Perry revealed that the twenty-second season would be her final season as a judge on American Idol.
February 18, 2024: American Idol Season 22 Premiere
American Idol's twenty-second season premiered on February 18, 2024, with Ryan Seacrest hosting and Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie returning as judges.
May 10, 2024: American Idol Renewed for Season 23
On May 10, 2024, ABC announced the renewal of American Idol for a twenty-third season and was in talks with "high-profile stars" to replace Katy Perry.
May 2024: Katy Perry Leaves American Idol
In May 2024, Katy Perry left American Idol after seven seasons.
July 31, 2024: Carrie Underwood to Replace Katy Perry on American Idol
On July 31, 2024, it was announced that former Idol winner Carrie Underwood would replace Katy Perry, joining Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie for the twenty-third season.
2024: American Idol Broadcast in Philippines
Since 2024, American Idol is broadcast in Philippines on TV5.
March 9, 2025: American Idol Season 23 Premiere
On March 9, 2025, American Idol's twenty-third season premiered with Ryan Seacrest as host, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie returning as judges, and Underwood replacing Katy Perry.
May 9, 2025: American Idol Renewed for Season 24
On May 9, 2025, it was announced that American Idol had been renewed for a twenty-fourth season.
May 2025: American Idol Airs Eight Seasons on ABC
As of May 2025, American Idol has aired eight seasons on ABC.
2025: American Idol Alumni Awards Summary
As of 2025, American Idol finalists had earned 5 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Award.
2025: American Idol Still Holds Viewership Record
As of 2025, American Idol marked the most recent time that a live regular non-sports primetime series had garnered such viewership in the United States, a record it achieved in 2008.
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