"American Idol" is returning to television, but this time on ABC, the network revealed on "Good Morning America" Tuesday.
After 15 years, "Idol" had its farewell season in 2016 amid plunging ratings, but several networks were in talks about reviving it almost as soon as it went off the air.
The show’s host and judging panel hasn’t been revealed yet, but Disney/ABC TV Group President Ben Sherwood is telling America to "get ready for the return of a bigger, bolder and better-than-ever 'Idol.'"
"'American Idol' is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon," Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement, Variety reported. "ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams."
FreemantleMedia North America and Core Media Group’s 19 Entertainment are producing the new version of "Idol."
“ABC’s passion and enthusiasm make them a perfect home for ‘American Idol,’” CEO of FreemantleMedia Group Cecile Frot-Coutaz said, Variety reported. “We are excited to be partnering with them to discover the next generation of talented artists. It’s an irresistible combination that means now is the ideal time to welcome back one of the most successful shows in the history of contemporary television.”
Despite the show briefly coming to an end, its creator, Simon Fuller, appeared to hint at an “Idol” reboot in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2016.
“How does ‘Idol’ live for the next 15 years?” he said at the time. “There will no doubt be another format or refinement or elevation of the format.”
“Now I can actually revamp it and come up with a new version,” Fuller added. “And we can look back on 15 seasons and think of some legitimate ways to allow people to enjoy them again, maybe adding another dimension to it.”
“American Idol” has produced stars such as Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino, and Ruben Studdard, to name a few.
The revival could be returning to the small screen by March 2018.