As the 2026 Winter Olympics take over television screens this month, many fans are wondering how their favorite shows will be affected. One question on everyone’s mind: will “American Idol” still air while the Games are in full swing?
The hit competition show premiered on its new night, Monday, January 26, and returned for Week 2 on February 2. But with the Winter Olympics running from February 6 to February 22, it can be tricky to keep track of what’s on and when.
Season 24 of “American Idol” has already delivered some unforgettable performances from contestants, and viewers don’t want to miss a single moment. So, with the Olympics dominating networks, what does that mean for this season of “American Idol”?
‘American Idol’ Schedule During the 2026 Winter Olympics
DisneyGood news for fans: “American Idol” will be airing during the Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics are airing on NBC, while “American Idol” is an ABC production. According to TV Insider, while CBS is keeping new episodes of its primetime shows off the air until after the Olympics, “American Idol” will still be airing during the Games.
ABC confirmed that the third Auditions episode of “American Idol” Season 24 will be airing on Monday, February 9, at 8/7c as planned. Those who miss out can stream the episode on Hulu the next day, or tune in on Sunday, February 15, at 9/8c for the rerun.
While the schedule for the week of February 16 is not out yet, it’s likely that Episode 4 of “American Idol” will air that night.
February 9 and February 16 are the only two Mondays affected by the Olympics schedule.
What Makes ‘American Idol’ Season 24 Different?
There will be some major changes in Season 24 of “American Idol.” 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 the judges 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.”
