The hunt for America’s next superstar is back. The long-running competition show “American Idol” returns for Season 24 with a new round of standout talent and memorable performances. The premiere episode is definitely one you won’t want to miss.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about how to watch the premiere of this television staple that has entertained audiences for more than two decades, whether you tune in live or catch up later.
When Does ‘American Idol’ Season 24 Premiere?
Getty“American Idol” Season 24 premieres on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
This marks a major shift in schedule, moving to Monday nights rather than its previous Sunday slot.
Where to Watch the ‘American Idol’ Season 24 Premiere Live
The show airs weekly on ABC.
Where to Stream the ‘American Idol’ Season 24 Premiere
Episodes are available to stream on Hulu, Disney+, and ABC. com the day after the network premiere.
What Makes This Season of ‘American Idol’ Different?
There will be some major changes in Season 24. The first addition to this season is that fans will be able to vote on social media. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick told Deadline, “We have to meet the audience where they are. Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing. We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.”
“If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting,” she explained. “It could tip the scale.”
Next, the show’s “Hollywood Week” will be moved from Los Angeles to Nashville, now being called “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.” It will consist of a single round of competition instead of the usual multiple rounds, with ABC promising the “biggest Hollywood Week cut in ‘Idol’ history.”
The show is also introducing a new Ohana Round that will take place at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, and will take place during its three-episode “Hollywood Week.”
During the Ohana Round, 30 contestants will perform for a group of “industry tastemakers,” who will be helping judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, narrow down the competition to the Top 20.
The “industry tastemakers” include influencer duo Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill, music creator Anthony Gargiula, actress Loren Gray, podcast host Evan Ross Katz, vocal coach Cheryl Porter, Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton and “Rolling Stone” co-editor-in-chief Shirley Halperin.
In her recent interview, Michaels Wolflick said the goal of Ohana Week is to get a pulse on exactly who fans—and industry professionals—are connecting to.
“The judges have the power right all the way up to America’s Vote of who they want to put through and I thought it’d be interesting to do some sort of focus group before they get to America’s Vote to inform the judges of who people are responding to,” she explained, noting that each of the groups will get a chance to pick their favorite contestant. “Back in the day, Kris Allen would have been the pick of the people and Adam Lambert probably would have been the industry pick. I’m super curious who the [potential] Idols are going to pick because they can’t vote for themselves.”
