AMERICA'S FAVORITE JUDGES LUKE BRYAN, KATY PERRY AND LIONEL RICHIE, PLUS LONGTIME HOST RYAN SEACREST SET TO RETURN TO 'AMERICAN IDOL' FOR SEASON FIVE ON ABC AND HISTORIC 20TH SEASON OVERALL

Live Virtual Audition Tour 'Idol Across America' Returns to All 50 States Beginning Friday, Aug. 6

The iconic star-maker competition series "American Idol" welcomes back music industry legends, judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, and veteran host Ryan Seacrest to help discover America's next singing sensation for a fifth season on ABC, while celebrating the franchise's historic 20th season overall, when it returns spring 2022. Last season, ABC's "American Idol" ranked as the No. 1 series in its two-hour time period for the second year in a row among Adults 18-49. In addition, "American Idol" finished among the Top 5 unscripted series last season with Total Viewers (No. 4).

"Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan are music and industry icons that have become synonymous with 'Idol' on ABC," said Rob Mills, executive vice president, Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, Walt Disney Television. "Their star power is unmatched, and their support is a gift to our contestants that have deeply benefited from their wisdom over the past four seasons - and they're ready to do it again. As we begin a momentous season, I think it's safe to say this dream team has officially cemented their legacy on 'Idol.'"

"'American Idol' is still the original music show that genuinely creates superstars and continues to evolve to allow true artists to succeed in this unique business," said executive producer and showrunner Megan Wolflick. "The chemistry and passion Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to none. We couldn't be more ecstatic that they are returning for this iconic 20th season in search of the freshest new talent that this nation has to offer."

"We are thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan will be back to help discover our next American Idol," said executive producer Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media. "This dream team has selected and guided some of the most talented 'Idol' contestants in the history of the series, and we can't wait to see who they'll find next."

Season five auditions will kick off Friday, Aug. 6, with the return of "Idol Across America," the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For the second year in a row, "Idol Across America" offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an "American Idol" producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition. Last season's first-ever "Idol Across America" virtual auditions successfully kicked off many hopeful's "American Idol" journeys, including ABC's season-four winner, Chayce Beckham.

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

· Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Aug. 6)

· Connecticut, New Jersey, New York (Aug. 8)

· Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 11)

· Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Aug. 13)

· Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 16)

· Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee (Aug. 18)

· Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada (Aug. 21)

· Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming (Aug. 23)

· Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Aug. 25)

· Open Call: Nationwide (Aug. 27)

· Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah (Aug. 31)

· Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont (Sept. 2)

· Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C. (Sept. 8)

· Open Call: The South (Sept. 10)

· Open Call: East Coast (Sept. 13)

· Open Call: West Coast (Sept. 16)

· Open Call: Nationwide (Sept. 21)

For information on how to sign up for "Idol Across America" and a chance to virtually audition in front of an "American Idol" producer, please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. More details on specific dates, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions are available on the website. Contestants must be at least 15 years old to audition and may do so on any "Idol Across America" date regardless of your location.

"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and Industrial Media's 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner, and Fremantle's Jennifer Mullin 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 primetime television; riveting dramas "The Good Doctor," "A Million Little Things," "Station 19" and fall's groundbreaking No. 1 new series, "Big Sky"; trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs" and "Home Economics"; the popular Summer Fun & Games programming block, including "Celebrity Family Feud," "Holey Moley," "Match Game," "Press Your Luck" and "To Tell the Truth"; 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 two critically acclaimed, Emmy(R) Award-winning "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" specials. 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 demand and on Hulu.

About Fremantle

Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. From "The Mosquito Coast" to "Got Talent," "We Are Who We Are" to "Family Feud," "American Gods" to "Idol" and "My Brilliant Friend" to "Enslaved" - we are behind the world's most-loved and most-watched shows. We have an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries - our Fremantle family includes UFA (Germany), Wildside (Italy), Abot Hameiri (Israel), Miso Film (Denmark, Sweden and Norway), Blue Circle (Netherlands), Original Productions (USA) and Easy Tiger (Australia) to name a few. We produce in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 70 formats and air 400 programmes a year worldwide. We also distribute over 30,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. We are also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 426 million fans across 1,500 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms - and are the creator of Facebook's most viewed video of all time, The Sacred Riana. We are part of RTL Group, a global leader across broadcast, content and digital, itself a division of the international media giant Bertelsmann. For more information, visit www.fremantle.com, or follow us @FremantleHQ and visit our LinkedIn and Facebook pages.

About Industrial Media & 19 Entertainment

Industrial Media is an independent production group launched with the acquisition of The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) by the reorganized companies of CORE Media Group. Through its work with well-established industry leaders, including ownership interests and partnerships in Sharp Entertainment, IPC, B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine, This Radicle Act, and Trilogy Films, the Company creates and produces multi-platform programming of various genres for audiences worldwide. Industrial Media companies currently produces more than 60 series across 30 networks. Key programs include the global hit "American Idol" co-produced by 19 Entertainment for ABC, Sharp Entertainment's "90 Day Fiancé" franchise for TLC; IPC's Emmy(R)-winning hit documentary series "Leah Remini: Scientology & the Aftermath" for A&E, "Indian Matchmaking" and "Night Stalker" for Netflix and "Selena+Chef" for HBO Max; and B17 Entertainment's "History of Swear Words for Netflix and "Chasing the Cure" for TNT/TBS. 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 more recently, "American Idol" winner Laine Hardy along with prior contestants such as Gabby Barrett, Laci Kaye Booth, Francisco Martin, and Julia Gargano. 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.