"AMERICAN IDOL" RETURNS TO THE KODAK THEATRE FOR THE BIGGEST NIGHTS OF THE SEASON WHEN THE TWO REMAINING FINALISTS BATTLE IT OUT TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 AND 24, ON FOX

Winner to Be Revealed in Live Two-Hour Spectacular

The countdown has begun to the biggest night on television � the AMERICAN IDOL season finale. This record-breaking fifth season continues to captivate viewers with talented contestants, stellar guest artists and dynamic weekly performances. When the competition is whittled down to the final two contestants, they will battle it out live from the renowned Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, Tuesday, May 23 (8:00-9:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT) on FOX. On Wednesday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM live ET/tape-delayed PT), the newest AMERICAN IDOL will be crowned before thousands of fans and millions of television viewers.

The explosive fifth season of AMERICAN IDOL has surpassed last year's ratings by +13% among Adults 18-49 (13.0/32 vs. 11.5/29), +10% among Adults 18-34 (11.9/33 vs. 10.8/30), +4% among Teens (9.8/29 vs. 9.4/29) and +14% in Total Viewers (31.1 vs. 27.2 Mil).

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

For photos of the IDOL finalists, please go to www.FOXFLASH.com. Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. Check out the special, behind-the-scenes photos and information on AMERICAN IDOL.

About FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas
FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas) is the licensing arm of FremantleMedia for North and South America. FremantleMedia one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FLW, Americas exploits FremantleMedia's many strong brands, including the award winning, American Idol, the world's longest running gameshow The Price Is Right, the ever-popular Family Feud, and other classic gameshows, across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, live events, sponsorship, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing.

About 19 Entertainment
19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands."

Simon Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States, "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller is also the co-creator of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, which aired in the U.S. on FOX during summer 2005 and was the top-rated television show in its time slot.

Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S.A., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. Fuller recently became the world's most successful manager � breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s � when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. single chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart. 19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.