ABC has made the official announcement that the network has picked up American Idol for the 2017-2018 television season, just one year after the once popular reality singing competition series gave what seemed to be its final swan song on Fox. The move was all but certain at this point after news of a forthcoming announcement was leaked last week.
Ben Sherwood, co-chairman of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney ABC said in a statement Tuesday, “American Idol on ABC… That has a nice ring to it. Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. America, get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.”
There’s still no word on who will host and judge, and ABC is currently saying that will be announced at a later time. With Ryan Seacrest joining Kelly Ripa on Live! his return seemed unlikely, however last week TMZ reported that Seacrest is still very much interested in hosting the reboot, and outlined an insane schedule that would have him flying back and forth coast to coast over the course of the 10 weeks American Idol runs. But if worse comes to worse, Dunkleman is probably still available.
