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American Idol is about to make history on Disney+. Starting March 30, 2026, the iconic singing competition will stream live on Disney+ for the first time ever, simulcasting alongside ABC.
This marks a significant expansion for Disney’s streaming strategy, following the successful live simulcast model established by Dancing With the Stars. American Idol will continue to air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET on Mondays, with tape-delayed episodes available the next day on Hulu.
New Companion Podcast Launching
Along with the Disney+ simulcast, Disney is also launching the official American Idol Podcast. The new video podcast will debut alongside the start of the live shows at the end of March and will be available on Disney+, Hulu, and other podcast platforms.
According to the official description, the podcast will “dive deeper into America’s most iconic music competition series, exploring the performances everyone’s talking about, and offering exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis of the judges’ critiques.”
Season 24 Off to a Strong Start
The timing couldn’t be better. Season 24 of American Idol premiered on January 26 to its most-watched opener in four years, averaging 8.27 million viewers across live+3 and multiplatform viewing. That’s up 20% in total viewers compared to last year’s regular premiere.
The premiere was the No. 1 show of the night on broadcast and cable in both total viewers (7.23 million) and the key adults 18-49 demographic.
This Season’s Changes
Season 24 features some notable changes to the format. The new “‘Ohana Round” featured the show’s top 30 finalists performing for industry tastemakers at Disney’s Aulani resort on O’ahu in Hawaii. Additionally, “Hollywood Week” moved to Nashville this year for “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.”
Ryan Seacrest continues as host, while the judging panel features Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. The series is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment.
The addition of American Idol to Disney+’s live lineup further solidifies the platform’s push into live programming — a growing trend as streaming services look for ways to differentiate themselves and attract subscribers who want the traditional “appointment viewing” experience.
Source: Variety
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