American Idol renewed for third season on ABC… but judges panel is ‘still not set’
ABC has renewed American Idol for a third season.
The network made the news official on American Idol Twitter, which announced, ‘We’re singing with excitement!#AmericanIdol is coming back for a third season on ABC!’
The renewal was also reported on by Deadline, which added that the show’s lineup of judges is not yet set in stone.
Renewed: ABC has issued a renewed for the hit reality series American Idol, marking its third season on the network, and its 18th overall, following its 15-season run on Fox
The current trio of judges, music superstars Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, are still in negotiations with ABC.
However, the Deadline report claims that the network and the trio of judges are both, ‘said to be far apart,’ so it’s possible there could be a new lineup of judges.
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that offers have been made to the judges, and host Ryan Seacrest, and while ABC is hoping to bring everyone back, they would not comment on the timing of an announcement regarding the judges and host, indicating negotiations, ‘could take awhile.’
Idol judges: The current trio of judges, music superstars Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, are still in negotiations with ABC
The current season is down to the top three finalists, Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy and Madison VanDenburg, ahead of next week’s finale.
American Idol has averaged a 1.5 rating and 8.3 million viewers in the all-important 18-49 demographic.
Sunday’s penultimate episode earning a 1.7 rating and 8.9 million viewers in Live+7 ratings, the network’s second highest rating reality series behind The Bachelor.
Top three: The current season is down to the top three finalists, Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy and Madison VanDenburg, with the three-hour finale airing Sunday, May 19 at 8 PM
After the show moved to ABC in 2017, just one year after ending its 15-season run on Fox in 2016, Katy Perry was the first judge to come aboard.
She signed what was reportedly a whopping $25 million contract in 2017, which the Wall Street Journal confirmed in a March 2018 report.
That report also stated that host Ryan Seacrest and judge Luke Bryan were paid $12 million apiece, while Lionel Richie earned $10 million for his hosting duties.
Judges table: After the show moved to ABC in 2017, just one year after ending its 15-season run on Fox in 2016, Katy Perry was the first judge to come aboard
Seacrest has been the primary fixture on the show since its inception, with the show helping to launch the careers of stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
During this current season, famed multimedia personality Bobby Bones will took on the role of in-house mentor.
American Idol will air its three-hour finale airing Sunday, May 19 at 8 PM on ABC.
Seacrest: Seacrest has been the primary fixture on the show since its inception, with the show helping to launch the careers of stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood