Get ready for more musical magic— American Idol Season 24 is officially on the way! While ABC hasn’t announced an exact premiere date, insiders point to a mid-spring 2026 return, likely airing Sundays at 8 PM ET, just in time to crown another incredible Idol.

Judging Panel: Familiar Faces or New Twists?

ABC has confirmed Luke Bryan , Lionel Richie , and fan-favorite Carrie Underwood —who joined the panel in Season 23—are expected to return. However, Luke recently admitted that judge lineups are decided on a year-by-year basis, so his return isn’t completely locked in yet.

Interestingly, producers originally eyed Miley Cyrus for the slot replacing Katy Perry —but salary disagreements (an estimated $30 million ask) made her unviable, opening the door for Underwood’s triump

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