American Idol Season 24 Premieres Jan. 26 on ABC

American Idol returns to ABC on Monday, January 26, 2026, launching its 24th season with a two-hour premiere episode focused on auditions, airing at 8 p.m. ET from the network's studios and various audition locations. Hosted by longtime emcee Ryan Seacrest and featuring judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, the season introduces a collegiate theme dubbed "American Idol University," promising fresh twists to the long-running singing competition.

The premiere marks an earlier start than in previous years, when episodes typically debuted in March, and shifts the schedule from Sundays to Mondays for weekly broadcasts. New episodes will stream live on platforms carrying ABC, including DirecTV, Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu Live TV, many of which offer free trials for new subscribers. The following day, full episodes become available on-demand via Hulu and Disney+.

This season emphasizes innovation to engage a broader audience. Auditions, which took place in November at Nashville's Belmont University, consolidated into a single location rather than the multiple sites of past years. Hollywood Week evolves into a "Music City Takeover," with contestants heading to Belmont...