G.A. Viray
After 14 years and 15 seasons, Fox TV will be canceling American Idol for good in 2016.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Fox’s chairmen and CEO said it wasn’t 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.
The announcement was made 2 days before the 14th season finale of the American Idol.
Decline in ratings
American Idol, which has lead the ratings for Fox for eight consecutive seasons have lost its viewers in the last few seasons.
In a report by CNN, the show’s only averaged about 10.3 million viewers in 2014, and only 9 million this year so far. This was a huge drop from its average of 20 million viewers from 2003 to 2011. It was also the top rated non-sports program for those years.
Cowell, Abdul and Jackson to appear in Idol’s last season
The judges from the last two seasons, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr and Keith Urban, will remain, but there is a possibility that the original judges would appear in Idol’s last season. Walden says,
We would welcome any of them back. … Having spent a lot of time with former Idol judges, there is enthusiasm about coming back and paying tribute to a show that launched many, many successful careers. I think there is going to be a lot of enthusiasm around former contestants and judges being a part of the show.
Watch American Idol’s First Season Winner, Kelly Clarkson:
