‘American Idol’ will stream live for the first time — here’s how to catch ABC’s hit singing show
Keeping with its legacy, ABC's 'American Idol' Season 24 is leaving no stone unturned to make the new season bigger and grander than ever. As reported previously, Season 24 will feature social media voting alongside the brand-new 'Ohana Round' during Hollywood Week. Now, the latest reports suggest that the singing competition will stream live on Disney+ in addition to its traditional broadcast on ABC, and honestly, we are looking forward to it.
Starting Monday, March 30, 'American Idol' will stream live on Disney+ alongside its ABC broadcast, expanding its reach to new audiences. The official podcast also debuts on Disney+ and Hulu, offering weekly behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive interviews, and expert analysis of performances and judges' critiques, as per Disney+ Press. Reportedly, American Idol's new season premiere drew 8.27 million total viewers and a 1.04 rating among adults 18–49 across ABC, Hulu, Disney+, and digital platforms over three days.
This is a 20% increase in total viewers and a 7% rise in adults 18–49 compared with last season, achieving the show's best premiere in four years. On linear TV alone, the premiere was the night's No 1 show on broadcast and cable, with 7.23 million viewers and a 0.72 rating among adults 18–49. The 'American Idol' Season 24 premiere generated more video views than any other premiere in the 2025–2026 TV season.
‘American Idol' is currently in the auditions phase, with judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan selecting singers nationwide. Contestants who receive a golden ticket advance to Hollywood Week, as per Lehigh Valley Live. The release schedule of Season 24 introduces the Ohana Round in Hawai‘i, a new feature where the top 30 contestants receive emotional support and professional guidance while performing for industry tastemakers, family, and friends. For the first time, 'American Idol' viewers can vote via social media, in addition to traditional text and phone methods. Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick explained, "We have to meet the audience where they are. Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing," as per Deadline.
Wolflick further added, "We also have to meet the technology where it is as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites and weigh in from their couch with their second screen in real time." Notably, 'American Idol' Season 24 begins with four audition episodes airing Mondays from January 26 to February 16, followed by Hollywood Week in Music City split into two parts on February 23 and March 2. The Ohana Round airs on March 9, leading into the Top 20 performances at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai‘i, which are covered in two parts on March 16 and March 23.
