American Idol will be available to stream live on Disney+ later this season, just in time for fans to start voting for their favorite singers. The show is following in the footsteps of Dancing with the Stars, which has aired live on the streaming service for several seasons now.
American Idol to Stream Live on Disney+ This Season
According to Deadline, the current season of American Idol will be available for fans to stream live on Disney+ beginning March 30. Until then, viewers will have to watch new episodes live on ABC, or stream on Hulu the following day.
Giving fans the opportunity to watch the show on either ABC or Disney+ as new episodes air means that more people will be able to see the contestants’ performances when live voting is open. As previously announced, this season will also feature social media voting for the first time in the show’s history.
“We have to meet the audience where they are. Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing,” showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick said. “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, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.”
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The Show Is Also Launching a Podcast
In addition to the news about Disney+, American Idol has also announced that it will be launching the show’s first official podcast. This podcast will be available for fans to enjoy on Disney+ and Hulu as live shows begin later this season.
“Each week, the podcast will dive deeper into America’s most iconic music competition series, exploring the performances everyone’s talking about, and offering exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis of the judges’ critiques,” reads a press release.
The show is currently in the audition phase of the competition. It will return Monday night on ABC for a new episode. Are you excited about the changes that have been announced for this season of American Idol? Let us know in the comments below.
