Why Fox is canceling 'American Idol' after 15 years
After 15 years, the venerable American reality singing competition will leave the air in 2016.
Singer Keith Urban, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, and singer Harry Connick, Jr. arrive on set of "American Idol" in Los Angeles. Fox announced announced Monday, May 11, 2015 that "American Idol" will go off the air after its 15th and final season next spring.
Dan Steinberg/AP/File
After 14 years, what was once the most watched show on television, is going off the air. Fox has announced that 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� will be canceled following the upcoming 15th season.
鈥淎merican Idol鈥檚鈥� farewell season will feature veteran host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr. on Monday prior to the network鈥檚 annual pitch to advertisers previewing its fall lineup.
and is based on his British hit series 鈥淧op Idol.鈥� With original judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, the show has featured a number of notable names on the panel, including Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Steven Tyler, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres. The one element that has remained constant throughout the show's history is Seacrest, a former radio personality who has emceed since Season 1.
At the height of its popularity in 2006, the season finale of , and an average of 30 million throughout the season. These numbers are particularly impressive given that the show typically had over 40 episodes per season, many of which were two hours long.
The success of the show launched a whole genre of American reality TV shows, including 鈥淭he Voice,鈥� 鈥淭he Sing Off,鈥� 鈥淭he X Factor,鈥� and 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Got Talent,鈥� as well as the careers of several successful singers such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, and Jordin Sparks.
However, , despite judging and casting changes meant to bump up viewership. Since 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� reached its peak ratings in 2006, the show has gradually lost the 18-49 age group that drives advertising revenue. While the past season has seen a boost in ratings because it airs on the same night as the network鈥檚 new hit 鈥淓mpire,鈥� 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� has failed to recapture the riveted audience it once held.
As 鈥淎merican Idol鈥� leaves the network, , including a "Heroes" reboot titled 鈥淗eroes Reborn;鈥� a Neil Patrick Harris variety show; 鈥淪cream Queens鈥� from 鈥淕lee鈥� creator Ryan Murphy; 鈥淟ucifer,鈥� which is based on a DC Comics story; and a limited return of 鈥淭he X-Files,鈥� which has been off the air since 2002.
Season 15 of 鈥淎merican Idol,鈥� which will begin in January 2016, 聽is slated to be a 鈥渟eason-long celebratory event鈥� that will pay tribute to those who made the show a success over the years, including notable contestants and fans who helped determine the winners each season.
听摆Editor's note:听The original story incorrectly stated聽Neil Patrick Harris as the star of the show "Heroes Reborn," on NBC. Mr. Harris is聽starring in a variety show, also on NBC.]