Photo: Wenn
During a network press conference Monday morning (April 11), Fox announced that next year’s season of American Idol will be its last.
As Entertainment Weekly reports, Fox chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden answered questions during the press conference, with Newman saying: “You know, it was not an easy decision. American Idol has been such a vital part of Fox for its run, and we spent a lot of time talking with producers about the future of American Idol and collectively we arrived at the conclusion that it was time to bring the show to an end. But we wanted to do it in a way that felt special and celebratory and treated the show the way it deserved to be treated.”
Walden said that season 15 will feature guest appearances from former judges and contestants from the show. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm around former judges and contestants coming back,” she said.
Just announced! @AmericanIdol will begin its 15th – and FINAL – season this JAN on @FOXTV! http://t.co/DLJmi9U3Ff pic.twitter.com/KQffQPjMvn
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 11, 2015
“Next year, it’s going to be a true season-long celebration,” Newman stated. “We’re already talking about surprises we can have for the fans to make it feel special and send it off [in a way] that makes it as significant as the run it’s had on our network.”
“Idol had been the No. 1 show on broadcast for eight seasons,” he continued. “It was a collective decision that the right way to send this show out is right in the time period it has been for the last [few] years. It still has a great deal of popularity in viewing, and we’re going to deliver a special season.”
The 15th and final season will see the return of judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., along with host Ryan Seacrest. When asked if Seacrest’s original co-host Brain Dunkleman would be returning, Walden said: “If you get me his number, I’ll call him!”.
CNN Money reports that American Idol used to average more than 20 million viewers each season from 2003 to 2011, according to ratings tracker Nielsen, which made the show the top rated non-sports program on television. The show’s highest point in views was in 2006, when it averaged approximately 31 million views. However, the show saw an average of 10.3 million viewers last season, and only 9 million so far this season.
