Ryan Seacrest To Return For “American Idol” Season 9

Disney has announced that Ryan Seacrest will once again be returning as the host of the upcoming new season of “American Idol”, which his the iconic series that revolutionised the television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre.

Helping determine who America will ultimately vote to become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

The show will return for its ninth season on ABC and Hulu and Hulu On Disney+, and 24th overall, in 2026.

“American Idol” has ranked as a top unscripted series during its eight seasons on ABC, ending on a high note with last season’s finale ranking No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earning the best Total Viewer audience in two years. The series continues to dominate on social media as the No. 1 Most Social Reality Series across TV so far in 2025, collecting 1.65-plus billion social video views this year. Season 8 winner Jamal Roberts’ first single, “Heal,” also debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025.

Disney has also revealed that season 9 auditions are currently underway 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. Those auditioning will be given 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 auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.

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

• Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sep 9)
• Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Sep 11)
• East Coast open call (Sep 12)
• The South open call (Sep 15)
• Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sep 16)
• West and Midwest open call (Sep 18)
• Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. (Sep 19)
• Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sep 22)
• Nationwide open call (Sep 24)

For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and to register to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, please visit americanidol.com/auditions.

“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.

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