POWERFUL NEW DRAMA "EMPIRE" DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, WITH LIMITED COMMERCIAL INTERRUPTION, FOLLOWING THE PREMIERE OF "AMERICAN IDOL XIV"

AMERICAN IDOL XIV Continues Its Two-Night, Three-Hour Premiere Event Thursday, January 8

FOX is announcing winter premiere dates for new drama EMPIRE and the return of AMERICAN IDOL XIV.

AMERICAN IDOL XIV returns with a special, two-night, three-hour premiere event Wednesday, Jan. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 8 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Featuring host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., the fun starts when the competition launches its search for America's next superstar with auditions from Kansas City, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco.

The epic family battle begins when the powerful new drama EMPIRE debuts, with limited commercial interruption, on Wednesday, Jan. 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following AMERICAN IDOL XIV (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Precious"), Emmy Award winner Danny Strong ("Game Change," "Lee Daniels' The Butler") and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "24"), comes a drama about a family dynasty, set within a world of music, glamour, danger and power. Featuring music by prolific producer Timbaland, the series stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson ("No Good Deed," "Person of Interest").

Additional premiere dates and schedule details to be announced.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. The series was created by Simon Fuller. "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.

EMPIRE is from Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. The series is created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The pilot is written by Daniels and Strong. The series is executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Brian Grazer, Ilene Chaiken ("The L Word") and Francie Calfo ("Those Who Kill," "Gang Related"). Daniels directed the pilot. "Like" EMPIRE on Facebook at facebook.com/EmpireFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @EmpireFOX and join the discussion using #empire. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @EmpireFOX.