HIT SERIES AND STAR MAKER 'AMERICAN IDOL' TO MAKE MORE DREAMS COME TRUE WITH SECOND SEASON ON ABC

Music Luminaries Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie to Return as Judges, and Ryan Seacrest to Return as Host

The journey continues as America's beloved singing competition series "American Idol" is set to return for its second season on The ABC Television Network for the 2018-2019 season. Following the historic revival of the beloved series on ABC, the fan favorite will set out once again on a nationwide search to discover the next singing sensation. Returning to help find the cream of the crop are music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy(R)-winning producer Ryan Seacrest will also return to helm the music competition series as host.

In its first season on ABC, "American Idol" has finished as Sunday's No. 1 entertainment broadcast series on each of its 8 telecasts this season in Live + Same Day Adults 18-49. In fact, on average, the series ranks No. 1 in its 2-hour slot with Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54) and Teens 12-17. "American Idol" is more than doubling ABC's Sunday 8:00-10:00 p.m. time-period results year-to-year in Total Viewers (+158%) and Adults 18-49 (+110%), producing the Net's best results in the 2-hour slot in 4 years among viewers and in 3 years among young adults - since the comparable weeks of 2014 and 2015, respectively. Season to date, including delayed viewing, "American Idol-SUN" draws an average audience of 9.3 million viewers with a 2.1/8 among Adults 18-49. Additionally, the broad-appealing unscripted series has dominated the social landscape as the most social prime-time reality series of the year to date. (Source: Social Content Ratings, 1/1/18 - 4/29/18. Ranked by total program-level interactions. Facebook organic metrics no longer included as of 4/6/18).

"We knew that 'American Idol' on ABC would unleash an opportunity for singers from all walks of life to realize their dreams and that these incredible contestants would have America rooting for their success," said Channing Dungey, president, ABC Entertainment. "I am thrilled that Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan will be back to once again embark on this Idol journey with us to discover the next crop of inspiring talent."

"'American Idol''s return on ABC has shown once again that viewers love to discover and support raw talent," said Trish Kinane, president of Entertainment Programming, FremantleMedia North America, executive producer and showrunner of "American Idol." "Our new judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have brought huge credibility, energy and fun to the show this year, and we are so excited to continue the journey with Ryan Seacrest at the helm in the search for the next superstar."

Dennis Miller, executive chairman of CORE Media Group, added, "Our team is incredibly proud of the success we have had with 'American Idol' on ABC, and we are excited to search for more talent nationwide with a second season. We look forward to furthering our relationship with the network, our partners at FremantleMedia, Luke, Katy, Lionel, Ryan, and all those who audition to become the next American Idol as we continue to entertain fans with incredible performances week after week!"

Don't miss "American Idol" as the Top 7 take the stage on ABC, this Sunday, May 6, live coast-to-coast at 8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT/7:00-9:00 p.m. CDT/5:00-7:00 p.m. PDT. (The episode will be rebroadcast for the West Coast at 8:00-10:00 p.m. PDT).

The official "American Idol" app is available on iOS and Android devices. Using the app, fans can vote for their favorite contestants, as well as on AmericanIdol.com/vote or via text. Fans can also use the app to "IDOLize" their selfies with "American Idol" filters and stickers, and track what's trending with judges, contestants and fans.

"American Idol" is produced by FremantleMedia North America and CORE Media Group's 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America's Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin, along with executive producer Phil McIntyre representing CORE Media. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide.

"American Idol" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG, L parental guideline.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, with new shows including the No. 1 new drama on television, "The Good Doctor," the most watched show on television, "Roseanne," and the return of "American Idol"; in addition to current hits, such as groundbreaking dramas "How to Get Away with Murder," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Once Upon a Time." The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy(R) Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "American Housewife," "Fresh Off the Boat," "The Goldbergs," "The Middle," "Speechless" and midseason breakout, "Splitting Up Together"; hit game shows "The $100,000 Pyramid," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Match Game" and "To Tell the Truth"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank," iconic "The Bachelor" franchise, long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "General Hospital," which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk show "The Chew"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and "The American Music Awards."

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids & family entertainment business. As one of the world's largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of TV brands in the world, FremantleMedia's comprehensive global network has operations in 31 countries, creating over 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 45 formats and managing over 350 individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. For more information, follow us @FMNATV and visit our Facebook page.

About CORE Media Group

CORE Media Group is a leading independent media and entertainment company that creates quality programming for linear television and digital platforms. Through partnerships with well-established industry leaders including Sharp Entertainment, as well as B-17 Entertainment and its newly formed digital studio Thumb Candy, the company creates additional multiplatform programming of various genres for audiences nationwide. Through CORE's 19 Entertainment, it co-produces "American Idol," the gold standard of music competition programs, and the enduring franchise, "So You Think You Can Dance" (returning on FOX for a 15th season). Other recent television series under the CORE umbrella include "The Wall" for NBC and "Caraoke Showdown" for Spike. Additionally, CORE's 19 Recordings has been a part of the successful music careers of platinum artists Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and Colton Dixon, just to name a few.