‘American Idol’ to Stream Live on Disney+ For the First Time, Launches Companion Podcast (EXCLUSIVE)

Disney+ is bolstering its live event offerings with a significant addition next month: the iconic singing competition "American Idol" will be simulcast live on both ABC and the streaming platform. This strategic move places "Idol" alongside "Dancing With the Stars" as a cornerstone of Disney+'s live unscripted programming. For viewers who prefer on-demand viewing, the show will continue to be available on a tape-delayed basis on Hulu the following day, maintaining its existing distribution pattern.

In tandem with the broadcast expansion, a new companion series is set to launch. The "'American Idol' Official Podcast," a video podcast hosted by the franchise's enduring face Ryan Seacrest, will premiere in late March to align with the start of the season's live performance episodes. Seacrest, who has been the show's host since its 2002 debut on Fox, will guide the weekly program, which promises performance analysis, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes access. It will also feature expert breakdowns of critiques from judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. The podcast will be accessible on Disney+, Hulu, and other major podcast platforms, creating a multi-platform engagement strategy for dedicated fans.

The live simulcast initiative begins on March 30, with "American Idol" airing every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. This decision is backed by strong recent viewership data; the Season 24 premiere on January 26 drew an average of 8.27 million viewers across platforms, representing the show's most-watched opener in four years and a notable 20% increase over the previous season's premiere. Industry experts point to live event integration as a critical tactic for streaming services. "Live appointment viewing creates a consistent weekly habit that is incredibly valuable in a crowded market," notes media analyst Clara Jensen. "It directly combats subscriber churn by giving people a recurring reason to log in."

This season has also introduced notable format evolutions, including a new "'Ohana Round" filmed at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i and a relocated "Hollywood Week" staged in Nashville, Tennessee. The series is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Television. Fremantle, a global production and distribution giant known for formats like "The X Factor" and "America's Got Talent," handles worldwide distribution for "Idol." The show remains a flagship property for ABC, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the competition format that launched the careers of numerous superstars over two decades.