Carrie Underwood Joins the Panel: Where to Watch ‘American Idol’ Season 24
The search for the next superstar is back! Season 24 (the 9th season on ABC) officially premiered on Monday, January 26, 2026. This season features a major shift in the judging panel as Season 4 winner and country superstar Carrie Underwood takes her seat alongside veterans Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, replacing Katy Perry.
In a significant schedule change, the show has moved from its traditional Sunday slot to Monday nights. Here is how you can watch the auditions and follow the journey to the finale.
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1. Official Broadcast & Live Streaming (USA)
The primary home for American Idol remains ABC.
- Live TV: Tune in to ABC every Monday at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT.
- ABC App / Website: Stream live by signing in with your cable, satellite, or cord-cutting provider credentials (e.g., Xfinity, DirecTV, Spectrum).
- Live TV Streaming Services: If you’ve cut the cord, you can watch ABC live via:
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- Fubo
- DirecTV Stream
2. On-Demand Streaming (Next Day)
If you miss the live broadcast, episodes are made available for streaming the following morning.
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- Primary Platform:Hulu
- Availability: New episodes drop every Tuesday (usually by 3:00 AM ET).
- Disney+: Due to the Disney/Hulu integration, many regions now offer American Idol via the Hulu on Disney+ hub for subscribers of the Disney Bundle.
3. International Viewing Guide
| Region | Platform | Access Type |
| Canada | Citytv | Airs Mondays at 8 PM ET; available on Citytv+ app. |
| Australia | 7plus | Season 24 is expected to arrive later in 2026. |
| UK / India | Disney+ / VPN | No same-day broadcast; fans often use a VPN to access Hulu. |
4. Season 24 Highlights: What’s New?
- The Judges: Carrie Underwood’s return to the show that launched her career is the season’s biggest draw.
- Music City Takeover: For the first time, the notoriously difficult “Hollywood Week” has been relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and rebranded as Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.
- The ‘Ohana Round: A new high-stakes round filmed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, where “industry tastemakers” help decide the Top 20.
- Voting: Fans can now vote via social media platforms in addition to the traditional text and website options.
Quick Watch Summary
| Format | Platform | Time / Availability |
| Live TV | ABC | Mondays at 8 PM ET |
| Streaming | Hulu | Tuesdays (Next Day) |
| Live Mobile | ABC App | Live with Cable Login |
| Highlights | YouTube | Official American Idol Channel |
