{
  "id": 9705884,
  "title": "Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Will Return For ‘American Idol’ Season 25",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/carrie-underwood-luke-bryan-and-lionel-richie-will-return-for",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T05:17:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/carrie-underwood-luke-bryan-lionel-richie-american-idol-1236347294/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie are set to return as judges for the upcoming 25th season of American Idol. The announcement was made by Luke Bryan during a concert in Nashville on September 25. Lionel Richie recently underwent a procedure for atrial fibrillation but is expected to return soon. The talent show, which premieres in 2027, will once again air on ABC and stream on Disney+ and Hulu. Auditions for the competition are currently taking place across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. through Idol Across America. The show is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a division of Sony Pictures Television.",
  "summary": "Also linking up with the trio of judges is Emmy Award-winning OG host and producer Ryan Seacrest.",
  "key_points": [
    "Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie to return as judges",
    "Luke Bryan announced return during Nashville concert on September 25",
    "Show premieres in 2027 on ABC, Disney+, Hulu"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "‘American Idol’s Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood & Ryan Seacrest Return For Season 25",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/american-idols-luke-bryan-lionel-richie-carrie-underwood-ryan",
        "published": "2026-09-25T05:00:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}