IDOL HEADS TO ABC

American Idol is heading to ABC. The music competition show that delivered singers such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert will begin airing during the 2017-18 season.

ABC will produce the show with the producers that did it for Fox, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment. The show’s host and judges will be announced at a later date; it’s highly unlikely Ryan Seacrest will return as host unless the show is moved to New York, where he's now based.

“American Idol’ is a pop culture staple that left the air too soon,” Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”

Most years, the show ran in the second half of the season, concluding during the May sweeps when advertising rates are set and Idol viewership was often at its peak. ABC has never had a successful singing competition, trying with Duets and Rising Star.

In case anyone asks, the last winner on the Fox edition was Trent Harmon. He released an EP on Dot in December.