TELEVISION'S ICONIC STAR-MAKER 'AMERICAN IDOL' HITS THE RIGHT NOTES

LUKE BRYAN, KATY PERRY AND LIONEL RICHIE TO RETURN FOR NEW SEASON ON ABC

Twenty-two City Cross-Country Audition Tour Kicked Off on Tuesday, July 23, in Brooklyn, New York

Bobby Bones to Return as In-House Mentor

In its second season on ABC, "American Idol" dominated Sunday nights and claimed the position as Sunday's No. 1 most social show. In doing so, the reality competition series also proved that untapped talent from coast to coast is still waiting to be discovered. As previously announced, the star-maker will continue to help young singers realize their dreams with an all-new season premiering spring 2020. Returning to help find the next singing sensation are music industry legends and all-star judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Multimedia personality Bobby Bones will return as in-house mentor.

The all-new nationwide search for the next superstar kicked off with open call auditions in Brooklyn, New York, and will advance on to 21 additional cities across the country. In addition to auditioning in person, hopefuls can also submit audition videos online or show off their talent via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #TheNextIdol.

"'American Idol' is the original music competition series," said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. "It was the first of its kind to take everyday singers and catapult them into superstardom, launching the careers of so many amazing artists. We couldn't be more excited for Katy, Luke, Lionel and Bobby to continue in their roles as 'American Idol' searches for the next great music star, with more live episodes and exciting, new creative elements coming this season."

"We are delighted to have our judges Katy, Luke and Lionel as well as in-house mentor Bobby back on 'American Idol,'" said executive producer and showrunner Trish Kinane. "They are all credible, hugely successful artists and will bring their expertise, passion and energy to the search for America's next superstar. They have an undeniable chemistry together making for another fun and exciting season!"

"We are thrilled to have all our judges and Bobby returning for a third season of 'American Idol' on ABC," said Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media, the parent company of 19 Entertainment. "Our partners at Fremantle and ABC are delivering our fans some of the best Idol seasons ever produced, and Katy, Luke and Lionel are inspiring and molding some of the greatest musical talent this show - or any other for that matter - has ever seen. We cannot wait to be introduced to the next crop of stars and we cannot wait to see who will be the next 'American Idol.'"

"American Idol" auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):

· Mobile, AL: TBD Venue (Aug 20)

· Tallahassee, FL: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at Florida State University (Aug 23)

· Macon, GA: TBD Venue (Aug 23)

· Santa Barbara, CA: TBD Venue (Aug 23)

· Baton Rouge, LA: Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center (Aug 25)

· Columbia, SC: TBD Venue (Aug 26)

· Las Vegas, NV: TBD Venue (Aug 26)

· Waco, TX: Waco Convention Center (Aug 27)

· Knoxville, TN: Knoxville Convention Center (Aug 29)

· Salt Lake City, UT: TBD Venue (Aug 29)

· Raleigh, NC: TBD Venue (Sep 1)

· Colorado Springs, CO: TBD Venue (Sep 1)

· Washington D.C.: TBD Venue (Sep 4)

· Wichita, KS: TBD Venue (Sep 4)

· San Jose, CA: San Jose Convention Center (Sep 6)

· Pittsburgh, PA: TBD Venue (Sep 7)

· Springfield, IL: TBD Venue (Sep 7)

· Spokane, WA: Grand Hotel Davenport, Autograph Collection (Sep 8)

· Detroit, MI: TBD Venue (Sep 10)

· Nashville, TN: Nashville Municipal Auditorium (Sep 18)

· Chicago, IL: Wintrust Arena (Sep 21)

You must be at least 15 years old to audition. Please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions for more details on specific audition locations, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions.

"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and Industrial Media's 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include Fremantle's Trish Kinane, also serving as showrunner, Jennifer Mullin & Megan Wolflick with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including "Grey's Anatomy," the longest-running medical drama in prime-time television; riveting dramas "The Good Doctor," "How to Get Away with Murder," "A Million Little Things" and "Station 19"; the Emmy(R) Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "American Housewife," "black-ish," "Bless This Mess," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs," and "Schooled"; the popular "Summer Fun & Games" programming block, including "Card Sharks," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Holey Moley" and "Press Your Luck"; star-making sensation "American Idol"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank"; "The Bachelor" franchise; long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "General Hospital," which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; as well as the critically acclaimed hit special "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons.'" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and the "American Music Awards." ABC programming can also be viewed on ABC.com, the ABC app and Hulu.

About Fremantle

Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. A global entertainment powerhouse, Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries. Fremantle produces in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 60 formats and air 450 programs a year worldwide. The group distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. Fremantle is also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 300 million subscribers across 1,400 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms. Fremantle is part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann.

About Industrial Media

Industrial Media is an independent production group launched with the acquisition of The Intellectual Property Company by the reorganized companies of CORE Media Group. Through its ownership interests in established industry leaders including Sharp Entertainment, The Intellectual Property Corporation, B-17 Entertainment, Thumb Candy, and 19 Entertainment as well as overall deals with top production companies such as Momentum Content and Fairhaven Films, Industrial Media produces high quality programming for linear television and digital platforms reaching audiences worldwide. Key programs include the global hit "American Idol" co-produced by 19 Entertainment for ABC and "So You Think You Can Dance" co-produced by 19 Entertainment for Fox, Sharp Entertainment's "90 Day Fiancé" franchise for TLC and The Intellectual Property Corporation's Emmy(R)-winning hit documentary series "Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath" for A&E. Industrial Media companies currently produce over 52 series across 34 networks annually. Additionally, Industrial Media's 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of platinum artists including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina and recent "American Idol" winners Maddie Poppe and Laine Hardy. Industrial Media is backed by the private equity firm Crestview Partners, BlackRock Asset Management, and the United Talent Agency. For more details, visit www.industrial-media.com.