LUKE BRYAN, KATY PERRY, LIONEL RICHIE AND HOST RYAN SEACREST RETURN TO 'AMERICAN IDOL' FOR SEASON SIX ON ABC

Live Virtual Audition Tour 'Idol Across America' Returns to All 50 States Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 3

The iconic star-maker competition series "American Idol" welcomes back music industry legends, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, and veteran host Ryan Seacrest to help discover America's next singing sensation for a sixth season on ABC when it returns in spring 2023. "American Idol" ranked as the No. 1 program in the Sunday 8-10 p.m. time slot last season among Adults 18-49. In fact, "American Idol" won its time period for the third straight year in Adults 18-49 and was ABC's No. 1 program last season in Total Viewers.

Season six auditions kick off Wednesday, Aug. 3, with the return of "Idol Across America," the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar. Auditions take place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C, and start with the annual First 500 event, where hopefuls can sign up to grab a VIP spot before anyone else. "Idol Across America" offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an "American Idol" producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition.

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

· 'First 500' VIP Event (Aug. 3)

· Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 5)

· Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 8)

· Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 10)

· Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 12)

· Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi ( Aug. 15)

· Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 17)

· Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Aug. 19)

· Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 22)

· Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 24)

· Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Aug. 26)

· Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Aug. 29)

· Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Aug. 31)

For information on how 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. More details on specific dates, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions are available on the website. Contestants must be at least 15 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 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, and Fremantle's Jennifer Mullin with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment's compelling programming includes "Grey's Anatomy," the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; ratings juggernaut "The Bachelor" franchise; riveting dramas "Big Sky," "The Good Doctor," "A Million Little Things," "The Rookie" and "Station 19"; trailblazing comedies "Abbott Elementary," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs," "Home Economics" and "The Wonder Years"; popular game shows, including "The $100,000 Pyramid," "Celebrity Family Feud," "The Chase," "Press Your Luck" and "To Tell the Truth"; star-making sensation "American Idol"; "Judge Steve Harvey," the network's strongest unscripted series debut in a year; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank"; family favorites "America's Funniest Home Videos" and "Holey Moley"; "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 "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" specials. 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 world's largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of Entertainment, Drama & Film and Documentaries. Operating in 26 territories we are a proudly independent group of content creators. We produce and deliver high-quality multi-genre IP including some of the biggest entertainment formats, most watched international dramas, award winning films and hard-hitting documentaries, amplifying local stories on a global scale. From Too Hot To Handle to The Mosquito Coast, Game of Talents to The Hand of God, The Farmer Wants A Wife to 'Got Talent', Family Feud to My Brilliant Friend and The Investigation to Arctic Drift, our focus is simple - we create and deliver irresistible entertainment. We are also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment with more than 480 million fans across 1,600 social channels and over 40 billion views per year across all platforms. Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann. For more information, please visit Fremantle.com, follow us @FremantleHQ or visit our LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

About 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television, is led by executive producers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman with key programs including the global hit "American Idol" co-produced by Fremantle for ABC and "So You Think You Can Dance" co-produced by MRC Entertainment for Fox. Additionally, 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina; and more recently, contestants such as Gabby Barrett, Laci Kaye Booth, Francisco Martin and Julia Gargano.