SPECIAL PREVIEW OF 'AMERICAN IDOL' TO AIR FOLLOWING LIVE TELECAST OF 'THE OSCARS(R)' MARCH 2 ON ABC

Original Episode Will Feature First Look at New Judging Panel and Auditions

Today, ABC announced that it will air a special preview of "American Idol," television's most iconic music competition series, following the live telecast of "The Oscars(R)" SUNDAY, MARCH 2, on ABC and next day on Hulu. Ahead of the new season premiere on March 9, viewers will get to see the new judging panel comprised of season four 2005 winner and eight-time GRAMMY(R) Award winner Carrie Underwood, alongside fellow music industry icons Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and longtime host Ryan Seacrest, as hopefuls audition to become the nation's next superstar.

Since it began airing on ABC, "American Idol" has been a top unscripted series on ABC in Total Viewers. "American Idol" ranked as the No. 1 most social entertainment series on broadcast or cable in the 2023-2024 TV season with over 66 million total social interactions. (Source: Talkwalker Social Content Ratings; based on total social interactions for primetime entertainment series; excludes sports and wrestling; 9/25/23-5/24/24.)

The eighth season of "American Idol" on ABC and the franchise's 23rd season overall officially premieres with a two-hour episode SUNDAY, MARCH 9 (8:00-10:01 p.m. EDT/PDT), and airs next day on Hulu.

As previously announced, Emmy(R) Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O'Brien will host "The Oscars," which will air live coast to coast SUNDAY, MARCH 2 (7:00-10:30 p.m. EST/4:00-7:30 p.m. PST), on ABC. The telecast will also be rebroadcast in the Pacific Time zone in primetime after the live presentation.

"American Idol" is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. Executive producers include Megan Wolflick, also serving as showrunner with Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman serving as executive producers for 19 Entertainment. Fremantle distributes the series worldwide.