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SEVEN-TIME EMMY AWARD WINNER LOUIS J. HORVITZ TO DIRECT "AMERICAN IDOL XIII"

Emmy Award-winning and acclaimed producer, director and writer Louis J. Horvitz has joined AMERICAN IDOL XIII as the new director this season. A renowned television director, Horvitz has overseen the live broadcasts of the Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors. He has won five Emmy Awards for his work on the Academy Awards and two for his work on the Kennedy Center Honors.

"AMERICAN IDOL is the gold standard of music competition shows and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of the team, bringing this show live to millions of living rooms across the country," said Horvitz.

"We are incredibly lucky to have Louis joining AMERICAN IDOL XIII this season," said Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. "He is a true talent who has overseen some of the most glamorous and entertaining productions on U.S. television. He is focused on helping our IDOL contestants achieve their potential and we are thrilled to have him on the team."

AMERICAN IDOL XIII debuts with an exciting two-night, four-hour premiere Wednesday, Jan. 15 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The hit singing competition series features host Ryan Seacrest, a new judging panel, including Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., and Randy Jackson as the new in-house mentor.

In addition to directing, Horvitz also has executive-produced "An Evening of Stars" for 14 years, for which he and his team won three NAACP Image Awards. He has directed the "Primetime Emmy Awards" 17 times, the American Film Institute's (AFI) Life Achievement Awards 21 times and "The Kennedy Center Honors," for which he won a Director's Guild of America (DGA) Award, 22 times.

In a career that has spanned more than four decades, Horvitz has directed numerous other high-profile programs, including the XXI Olympic Winter Games opening and closing ceremonies, "Stand Up 2 Cancer," "American Music Awards," "Fashion Rocks," "MTV Video Music Awards," "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," "VH1 Divas," "Live Aid" and the landmark musical variety series, "Solid Gold." He also directed "Kids Inaugural: We Are The Future" for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama," "VH1 Concert for New York City," benefiting survivors of 9/11, U2's halftime show at "Super Bowl XXXVI" and the Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels Tour.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group. The series was created by Simon Fuller and is executive produced by Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Trish Kinane, Per Blankens, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager. "Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion using #idol. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @AmericanIdol. Download the AMERICAN IDOL app for iOS devices from the App StoreSM; and for Android devices at Google PlayTM Store.** Data rates may apply for app download and usage.