ABC'S 'AMERICAN IDOL' KICKS OFF 'IDOL ACROSS AMERICA' BEGINNING MONDAY, AUG. 10

GROUNDBREAKING LIVE VIRTUAL AUDITION TOUR WILL VISIT ALL 50 STATES FOR FIRST TIME EVER IN SEARCH FOR THE NEXT SUPERSTAR

Click Here for a Message From Last Season's 'American Idol' Winner, Just Sam

In its historic third season on ABC, "American Idol" became the first reality competition series to air remotely with the unprecedented season dominating Sunday nights, claiming the No. 1 position for broadcast series among Adults 18-49 as well as the night's No. 1 most social show. As previously announced, the star-maker series will return with an all-new season premiering spring 2021. During this season's first round of auditions, "American Idol" will continue to break new innovative boundaries with custom-built Zoom technology to host "Idol Across America," its first-ever live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar.

Beginning Aug. 10, "Idol Across America" remote auditions will take place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for the first time since the show's inception, making auditions easier than ever. The kickoff to season four will give hopefuls the chance to showcase their talents from anywhere in America, across any official audition date and face-to-face with an "American Idol" producer, staying true to its roots by providing aspiring Idols real-time feedback on their journey to being crowned the next American Idol.

"Idol Across America" auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):

· Delaware, Florida and Ohio (Aug 10)

· Louisiana, Missouri and Wisconsin (Aug 12)

· Arizona, Oregon and Washington (Aug. 14)

· Georgia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Rhode Island (Aug 16)

· Open Call Auditions (Aug 17)

· Alabama, Arkansas and Kansas (Aug 18)

· Idaho, New Mexico and Utah (Aug. 20)

· Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas (Aug 22)

· Michigan, Tennessee and Virginia (Aug 24)

· Open Call Auditions (Aug 25)

· Iowa, Mississippi and Oklahoma (Aug 26)

· Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota (Aug 28)

· Connecticut, New Jersey and New York (Aug 30)

· Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming (Sep 1)

· Maine, South Carolina and West Virginia (Sep 3)

· Alaska, California and Hawaii (Sep 5)

· Kentucky, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania (Sep 7)

· Massachusetts, North Carolina and Vermont (Sep 9)

To sign up for "Idol Across America" and a chance to virtually audition in front of an "American Idol" producer, please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. There you will find more details on specific dates, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions. You must be between 15 - 28 years old to audition and may do so on any "Idol Across America" date regardless of your location.

"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and Industrial Media's 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include Fremantle's Trish Kinane, also serving as showrunner, Jennifer Mullin and Megan Wolflick, with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including "Grey's Anatomy," the longest-running medical drama in prime-time television; riveting dramas "The Good Doctor," "A Million Little Things" and "Station 19"; trailblazing comedy favorites "American Housewife," "black-ish," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs" and "mixed-ish"; the popular "Summer Fun & Games" programming block, including "Celebrity Family Feud," "Holey Moley," "Match Game," "Press Your Luck" and "To Tell the Truth"; star-making sensation "American Idol"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank"; "The Bachelor" franchise; long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "General Hospital," which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; as well as the critically acclaimed, Emmy(R) Award-winning special "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons.'" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and the "American Music Awards."   ABC programming can also be viewed on demand and on Hulu.

About Fremantle

Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. From the Got Talent and Idol franchises to "My Brilliant Friend," "Family Feud," "The Young Pope," "American Gods," "The Price is Right," "Neighbours," "The X Factor" and "Deutschland 83." Fremantle is behind the world's most-loved and most-watched shows. Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries. The Fremantle family includes UFA (Germany), Wildside (Italy), Abot Hameiri (Israel), Miso Film (Denmark, Sweden and Norway), Blue Circle (Netherlands), Original Productions (USA) and Easy Tiger (Australia) to name a few. Fremantle produces in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, rolls out more than 70 formats and airs 400 programs a year worldwide. Fremantle also distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. As a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, Fremantle has more than 370 million subscribers across 1,500 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms - and is the creator of Facebook's most viewed video of all time, "The Sacred Riana." For more information, visit www.fremantle.com, follow @FremantleUS or visit its Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

About Industrial Media

Industrial Media is an independent production group launched with the acquisition of The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) by the reorganized companies of CORE Media Group. Through its work with well-established industry leaders, including ownership interests in Sharp Entertainment, IPC, B17 Entertainment, and 19 Entertainment, the Company creates and produces multi-platform programming of various genres for audiences worldwide. Industrial Media companies currently produces more than 60 series across 35 networks. Key programs include the global hit "American Idol" co-produced by 19 Entertainment for ABC, Sharp Entertainment's "90 Day Fiancé" franchise for TLC, and The Intellectual Property Corporation's Emmy(R)-winning hit documentary series "Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath" for A&E. Additionally, Industrial Media's 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina; and more recently, "American Idol" winners Samantha Diaz and Laine Hardy along with prior contestants such as Gabby Barrett, scarypoolparty and Laci Kaye Booth. Industrial Media is backed by the private equity firm Crestview Partners, BlackRock Asset Management, and the United Talent Agency. For more details, visit www.industrial-media.com.