- - “American Idol ”Season 24 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?

Caroline BlairJanuary 27, 2026 at 4:00 AM

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Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan sitting at the 'American Idol' season 24 judge's table.

Disney/Eric McCandless

American Idol season 24 premieres on Jan. 26 on ABC

New episodes will air every Monday in the weeks following and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu

Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Ryan Seacrest are all returning for the University-themed season

A new season of American Idol has arrived!

Season 24 of the beloved singing competition series premieres on Jan. 26 and will include both recurring episode formats and a new round of the show. Similar to past seasons, the first few episodes will center around auditions — which took place both remotely and at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

However, unlike past seasons, the iconic Hollywood Week round is instead set in Nashville for Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover. In addition to this twist, season 24 will also introduce a new Ohana Round, where the remaining 30 singers will perform in front of a group of "industry tastemakers," per ABC. From there, contestants will continue giving it their all to snag a spot in the Top 20.

For the second season in a row, award-winning musicians Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie are serving as judges. Meanwhile, longtime host Ryan Seacrest is also reprising his role. All four stars will embrace the season's theme of "Idol University" as mentors and teachers to graduates.

"Welcome to American Idol University. With decades of talent on display, I'm so excited for you all to explore these historic halls," Seacrest told the judges in a video of them looking at a museum filled with past American Idol winners and memorabilia.

Here's everything to know about the American Idol season 24 release schedule.

When does American Idol season 24 premiere?

Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie ahead of 'American Idol' season 24.

Disney/Brian Bowen Smith

The first episode of American Idol season 24, which will be an audition episode, premieres on Monday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

For the first episodes, the judges took over Belmont University and transformed it into Idol University, where "future stars take their first steps toward becoming the next American Idol," per ABC.

What time do new episodes of American Idol air?

Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan auditioning contestants on season 24 of 'American Idol.'

Disney/Eric McCandless

American Idol episodes will air every Monday after the Jan. 26 premiere at 8 p.m. ET. Each episode runs two hours until 10 p.m. ET.

What is the American Idol season 24 release schedule?

Keyla Richardson auditioning on season 24 of 'American Idol.'

Disney/Eric McCandless

New episodes of American Idol are set to air every Monday after the premiere on Jan. 26. As of the season premiere, the series has only released the weekly breakdown up to the ninth episode featuring the Top 20 contestants.

Here's the episode release schedule:

Jan. 26: Season Premiere, "Auditions"

Feb. 2: Episode 2, "Auditions"

Feb. 9: Episode 3, "Auditions"

Feb. 16: Episode 4, "Auditions"

Feb. 23: Episode 5, "Hollywood Week In Music City - Part 1"

March 2: Episode 6, "Hollywood Week In Music City - Part 2"

March 9: Episode 7, "Ohana Round"

March 16: Episode 8, "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i - Part 1"

March 23: Episode 9, "Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i - Part 2"

The Ohana Round is a new feature of the competition that will feature a "stellar lineup of industry tastemakers, adding a fresh element when the show heads to Hawai‘i," per ABC. The Ohana Round has been designed to be the "ultimate focus group" for contestants where they can receive "peer respect, emotional support and professional insight" before the final episodes transition to fan votes.

Some of the "industry tastemakers" include Kaniyia Brown and Terry McCaskill, Anthony Gargiula, Loren Gray, Shirley Halperin, Evan Ross Katz, Cheryl Porter and Kelly Sutton, among others.

In addition to the Ohana Round, season 24 will also introduce a new element of social voting. Fans will be able to vote for contestants on social media, as well as via the traditional text and phone routes.

“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," showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick told Deadline. "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."

She added, "Maybe in three years’ time, we’ll have a conversation where we’re just doing social voting. But right now, you want to ease the audience into something new."

Where can I watch American Idol?

Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, And Ryan Seacrest.

Disney/Eric McCandless

New episodes of American Idol will air on ABC, with episodes streaming the next day on Hulu. Past ABC seasons of American Idol are also available to stream on Hulu.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”