or


[09/09/25 - 01:05 PM]
Host Ryan Seacrest Returns to "American Idol" for Season 9 on ABC and Hulu
Season 9 auditions are currently underway with the return of "Idol Across America," the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
[via press release from ABC]

HOST RYAN SEACREST RETURNS TO 'AMERICAN IDOL' FOR SEASON 9 ON ABC AND HULU

Live Virtual Audition Tour 'Idol Across America' Currently Underway

Disney/Christopher Willard*

Emmy(R) Award-winning and longtime host Ryan Seacrest will join music superstars Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood when "American Idol" returns for its ninth season on ABC and Hulu, and 24th overall, in 2026. "American Idol" has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season's finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best Total Viewer audience in two years. The series continues to dominate on social media as the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV so far in 2025, collecting 1.65-plus billion social video views this year. Season 8 winner Jamal Roberts' first single, "Heal," also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025.

Season 9 auditions are currently underway with the return of "Idol Across America," the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Those auditioning will be given 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 auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.

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

· Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sep 9)

· Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Sep 11)

· East Coast open call (Sep 12)

· The South open call (Sep 15)

· Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sep 16)

· West and Midwest open call (Sep 18)

· Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. (Sep 19)

· Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sep 22)

· Nationwide open call (Sep 24)

For information on how to sign up for "Idol Across America" and to register to virtually audition in front of an "American Idol" producer, please visit americanidol.com/auditions. Contenders may audition on any "Idol Across America" date, regardless of location. For full eligibility requirements, details on specific dates, submission forms, and terms and conditions, please visit the website.

"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.

Follow "American Idol" (#TheNextIdol) on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Threads and TikTok.

About Fremantle

Fremantle is a leading global creator, producer and distributor of some of the world's most successful content across Entertainment, Drama & Film, and Documentaries. Amplifying local stories on a global scale, Fremantle produces and delivers premium, multi-genre IP across the 27 territories it operates in. Fremantle is a proudly independent group of content creators, and home to some of the biggest entertainment formats, compelling international dramas, award-winning films and high-quality documentaries. From Got Talent to Sullivan's Crossing, Family Feud to Queer, Fellow Travelers to Queens, The Floor to Big Mood, Deadliest Catch to Idols, and Match Game to The Zelensky Story, our focus is simple - Fremantle creates and delivers irresistible entertainment. Fremantle also represents world-leading digital and branded entertainment, with more than 550 million fans and 360 billion views for its standout content across all platforms. Fremantle's Global Channels unit consists of more than 20 FAST channels worldwide, including Buzzr, Rig TV, and Baywatch. Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, streaming, content and digital, itself a division of the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann.

For more information, please visit www.fremantle.com, follow Fremantle on Twitter @FremantleHQ and Instagram @fremantle or visit Fremantle's LinkedIn page.

About 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television, is led by executive producers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman. In addition to its global hit "American Idol" for ABC, 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists, including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Fantasia, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina, and more recently, Gabby Barrett, Chayce Beckham, Iam Tongi, and Jamal Roberts





  [september 2025]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)




[10/21/26 - 04:01 PM]
USA Sports' Coverage of Dream-Valkyries Game 2 Is Most-Watched WNBA Finals Game 2 Ever on Cable
Monday night's coverage averaged 1.33 million viewers across USA Sports' linear platforms (USA Network, CNBC and E!).
[10/21/26 - 03:31 PM]
BET Renews "ComicView: Rooftop Series" for a Second Season
The 20-episode order puts 60 comedians on the Hollywood rooftop and cements the series as an anchor of the network's Comedy Fun Night.
[10/21/26 - 03:15 PM]
It's Back to School at "Abbott Elementary" as Show Returns with Over 6 Million Total Viewers
The premiere episode scored the show's best streaming performance since Season 4, based on views over seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
[10/21/26 - 02:31 PM]
Commanders-49ers on "Monday Night Football" Delivers 17.9 Million Viewers
Six weeks into ESPN's Super Bowl LXI season, "Monday Night Football" is up 23% compared to the same point in 2025, averaging 19 million viewers.
[10/21/26 - 11:31 AM]
"Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black" Season 4 Kicks Off Production in Atlanta
"'Beauty in Black' is back for Season 4 and the Bellarie family's story is far from finished," said Perry.
[10/21/26 - 11:30 AM]
Esther McGregor and Emilio Sakraya to Star in "Fourth Wing" on Prime Video
McGregor will play the fiercely intelligent and often underestimated Violet Sorrengail; while Sakraya will play the enigmatic and ruthless Xaden Riorson.
[10/21/26 - 11:21 AM]
"Blue Lights" Season Four Chronicles a Changing Belfast as the Acclaimed Drama Returns to BritBox
Other November highlights include the return of "Death Valley" on November 17.
[10/21/26 - 11:06 AM]
Sabine Grace, Logan Kim, Marin Ireland and Intae Kim Have Joined the Cast of "Pagans," Alongside Steven Yeun
A father becomes the sole caretaker of his two children after the tragic loss of his wife. What starts as a strained father-daughter relationship soon evolves into something far more sinister.
[10/21/26 - 11:01 AM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of October 12
"Carrie," "Neagley," "Reacher," "Off Campus," and "Sterling Point" led all original series worldwide.
[10/21/26 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu Announces Tinx as Host of "The Circle," Featuring Celebrity Contestants and Audience Voting
Beginning November 17, "The Circle" will debut three new episodes weekly, airing Tuesday through Thursday for five weeks, culminating in the season finale on Friday, December 18.
[10/21/26 - 09:30 AM]
Video: It Has All Led to This - Forging The One Ring to Rule Them All in Season 3 Trailer for "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" from Prime Video
The first four episodes of season three will premiere on November 11, 2026.
[10/21/26 - 09:07 AM]
FOX Sports Expands Year-Round Horse Racing Coverage with Gulfstream Park Championship Meet
As part of the agreement, the $1 million EquiTrack Florida Derby will air live on FOX broadcast network on March 27, 2027.
[10/21/26 - 09:00 AM]
Versant Announces Licensing Agreement to Stream E!'s "The Golden Life" on Hulu
The first two episodes will be available on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. beginning November 3, with remaining episodes available seven days after premiering on E!.
[10/21/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Avedon" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The life and work of legendary photographer Richard Avedon come into focus through archival footage and new interviews in this intimate documentary.
[10/21/26 - 08:30 AM]
Prime Video Unveils Key Art and Premiere Date for Docuseries "The Boy Who Stole Billions?" Premiering November 30
The series delves into one of the biggest frauds in U.S. history with unprecedented access and exclusive firsthand accounts from Sam Bankman-Fried himself from prison.