American Idol Season 24 was judged by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and premiered on ABC on January 26, 2026. The season is complete: its grand finale aired May 11, 2026. Season 24 was the franchise’s 24th overall season but the ninth season of ABC’s revival. Its audition cycle is closed, while viewing availability through ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ depends on location and current platform terms.
American Idol Season 24 at a glance
American Idol Season 24 featured Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood as judges, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host. It premiered on ABC on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, and the season concluded with its grand finale on May 11, 2026.
Season 24 is the franchise’s 24th season overall and the ninth season of ABC’s revival. ABC and Disney+ materials may therefore refer to the season using revival-era numbering, including “Season 9,” while entertainment coverage commonly calls it Season 24.
Who were the American Idol Season 24 judges?
- Luke Bryan — judge
- Lionel Richie — judge
- Carrie Underwood — judge and former American Idol winner
Ryan Seacrest hosted the season. Underwood’s place on the panel was particularly notable because she previously won American Idol before returning to the franchise as a judge.
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When did American Idol Season 24 air?
The Season 24 premiere aired on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC. The televised audition episodes aired on the following dates:
| Episode stage | Date | Original outlet |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere and auditions | January 26, 2026 | ABC |
| Auditions | February 2, 2026 | ABC |
| Auditions | February 9, 2026 | ABC |
| Auditions | February 16, 2026 | ABC |
| Grand finale | May 11, 2026 | ABC |
ABC’s regular Season 24 listing identified the program as airing on Mondays at 8/7c during the season. Broadcast schedules can change, so viewers checking a repeat, special, or archived listing should confirm the schedule with their local ABC affiliate.
How did American Idol Season 24 auditions work?
The official audition process offered two main routes:
- Online audition submission: Contestants could submit a full audition through the official American Idol/ABC audition portal.
- Idol Across America: Contestants could register for a virtual audition that put them face-to-face with an American Idol producer.
Both routes were subject to the program’s official eligibility requirements. The Season 24 audition cycle is now closed as of August 12, 2026. Anyone hoping to audition for a future season should use the official ABC/American Idol audition portal for the next opening, dates, instructions, and terms.
How to prepare for a future online audition
- Record a clear vocal performance in a quiet location.
- Review the official submission instructions before recording or uploading anything.
- Read the eligibility terms for the specific cycle rather than relying on an old social-media post or a previous season’s rules.
- Submit through the official audition portal when the next cycle opens.
A microphone for recording an audition video may help you capture cleaner audio, but it is optional preparation equipment—not a stated program requirement. The official audition information does not require a particular microphone, camera, song, or recording setup. There is also no basis for claiming that buying a particular piece of equipment improves a contestant’s chances of being selected.
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Important eligibility warning
The official audition page confirms that eligibility requirements apply, but the available Season 24 page does not expose the complete rule set. It would therefore be misleading to state a definitive age range, residency or citizenship rule, employment restriction, or disqualifying condition without checking the official terms for the applicable audition cycle.
Rules can change between seasons. Historical ABC audition pages may explain how an earlier cycle worked, but they are not sufficient proof of the requirements for a future season.
What changed during Season 24?
One of Season 24’s notable format changes was the relocation of Hollywood Week to Nashville. ABC Press described the Nashville round as using a one-round format with an especially large cut.
That change applies to Season 24 and should not automatically be treated as the format for a later season. American Idol can revise its audition and competition structure, so future contestants should follow the announcements and rules released for their own cycle.
Where to watch American Idol Season 24
ABC
ABC was the original broadcast home for Season 24. Viewers with access to their local ABC affiliate could watch the program during its scheduled broadcast window. Local channel lineups and reception vary by location.
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- 720p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
If your home can receive the local ABC signal, an indoor TV antenna for ABC is one possible way to watch the broadcast over the air. Reception depends on factors such as distance from the transmitter, terrain, building materials, antenna placement, and local signal strength. An antenna does not provide Hulu, Disney+, or on-demand episodes.
Hulu
ABC’s official series and episode information identified Hulu as a streaming destination for the program, including next-day episode availability in the premiere materials. Hulu access, plan features, episode timing, and availability can change, so check the current listing and subscription terms before signing up.
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Disney+’s official listing carries the series and Season 24 episodes, which may also be identified in the service’s revival-era numbering as Season 9. Availability depends on the viewer’s country or region and the current Disney+ catalog. Live access, next-day distribution, and on-demand access are not necessarily identical in every market.
Choosing the right viewing option
| If you want to… | Check first |
|---|---|
| Watch the broadcast live | Your local ABC affiliate or a current live-TV service that carries ABC in your area |
| Watch after the broadcast | Hulu’s current American Idol episode listing and your plan’s availability |
| Watch on demand through Disney | The Disney+ catalog for your country or region |
| Receive ABC without an internet subscription | Local over-the-air signal availability and antenna reception at your address |
There is no single viewing option that works everywhere. Live-channel access, subscription tiers, episode timing, and regional catalogs can change. Check the current ABC, Hulu, or Disney+ listing before relying on a particular service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “Season 24” means on different services
The numbering can be confusing because American Idol has a longer franchise history than its ABC revival. The show returned to television on ABC after its earlier run, and Season 24 is the 24th overall season but the ninth ABC revival season. A Disney+ or ABC page that labels the episodes “Season 9” is referring to the revival-era count, not a different competition.
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Bottom line
American Idol Season 24 was judged by Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood and hosted by Ryan Seacrest. It premiered January 26, 2026, moved Hollywood Week to Nashville in a one-round format, and ended with its May 11 finale. The Season 24 audition window is closed; future contestants should wait for the next official portal announcement rather than use outdated eligibility information. For viewing, ABC was the broadcast outlet, while Hulu and Disney+ provided streaming routes subject to current regional availability and subscription terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did American Idol Season 24 premiere?
Season 24 premiered on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
Who were the judges and host of American Idol Season 24?
Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood were the judges. Ryan Seacrest returned as host.
Can I still audition for American Idol Season 24?
The Season 24 audition cycle is closed as of August 12, 2026. For a future season, check the official ABC/American Idol audition portal for dates, instructions, and eligibility terms.
Where can I watch American Idol Season 24?
Season 24 aired on ABC and was identified by official materials as available through Hulu and Disney+, subject to regional catalogs, schedules, and subscription requirements.
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Why is American Idol Season 24 sometimes called Season 9?
Season 24 is the 24th season overall and the ninth season of ABC’s revival, so some ABC or Disney+ listings may label it Season 9.
The Bottom Line
Season 24 was the 24th overall American Idol season and the ninth ABC revival season. Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood judged, Ryan Seacrest hosted, and the season aired from January 26 through the May 11, 2026 finale. Its auditions are closed, but future contestants can monitor the official ABC/American Idol portal. Episodes and broadcasts may be available through ABC, Hulu, and Disney+, depending on location and current service terms.
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