American Idol will be returning to FOX for season 14 next winter, but the show may end up looking a little different than it has in its first 13 renditions.
Though Idol has been a mainstay two nights a week in FOX's lineup since 2002, new rumors are emerging that the network will be trimming the show in its schedule to just one night a week, a la Dancing With The Stars. According to E! Online, a source "with knowledge of the situation" said the show will only hold one night on the mid-season FOX schedule.
The trimming back of American Idol hours on television should come as no surprise to longtime fans of the show. Though it still pulls in solid enough numbers, Idol is no longer the ratings juggernaut that it used to be, and major sponsor AT&T dropped the show this year. Additionally, season 13 has seen the results show trimmed from 60 minutes to 30, proving that the cutting of contestants can be done rather quickly -- like at the top of the show.
FOX has yet to confirm official details about the 14th season of American Idol, but a few things are known. Of course, longtime host Ryan Seacrest will return for the 2015 season.
The trio of this year's judges, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. are likely to return, as well. Not only have the judges gelled together quite well, but three of the five season 14 audition spots take place in the judges' respective hometowns.
American Idol season 14 will begin mid-season in FOX's 2014-2015 lineup. As for season 13... the pack has been trimmed down to Jena Irene, Caleb Johnson and Alex Preston. The live finale will air on May 21.
