Share and Follow
The beloved television show, American Idol, is set to shake things up with a change in its broadcasting schedule for its 24th season. Traditionally a staple of Sunday nights, the show will now grace our screens on Monday evenings, with the season premiere airing tonight, January 26, on ABC.
This season introduces some exciting changes, providing a fresh twist on the established format. Known for its thrilling journey through Hollywood Week, American Idol will now take this pivotal part of the competition to Nashville. During this two-week segment, contestants who have successfully navigated the auditions will face intense performances, eventually narrowing the field to just 30 hopefuls.
Following this, the competition heats up with the introduction of the Ohana Round. In this new segment, contestants will be tasked with performing in front of the judges, industry experts, and a supportive crowd of friends and family, as the Top 30 is further reduced to a Top 20.
- When: Jan. 26, 8 p.m. ET (weekly on Mondays)
- Channel: ABC
- Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
With tonight marking the beginning of this new chapter, fans can tune in to watch the drama and talent unfold each Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. As American Idol continues to evolve, viewers can expect an engaging and heartening showcase of emerging musical talents.
When does American Idol 2026 Start?
The new season of American Idol begins tonight, Jan. 26, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes will continue to air weekly on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
How to Watch American Idol for Free:
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching college football live for free — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the NCAA football season). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.
Sling TV is another affordable way to stream college football games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.
Is American Idol on Hulu?
American Idol will not stream live on Hulu, but subscribers will be able to watch tonight’s episode on Hulu beginning tomorrow morning.
It’s the most cost-effective way to tune in to American Idol if you’re fine with not watching it live.
American Idol Season 24 Judges:
The judging panel from Season 23 of American Idol – Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie — will all return as judges for Season 24.
Why Trust Decider Shopping
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Decider, the New York Post, and Page Six. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
For more like this, check out the Decider Shopping section.
