American Idol is officially back—and viewers showed up in a big way. The Season 24 premiere aired on ABC on Monday, January 26, and the two-hour episode proved the long-running competition still has plenty of star power left.
With Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood returning to the judges’ table, the season kicked off with a wave of standout auditions and emotional Golden Ticket moments that quickly set social media buzzing. Fans praised what many are already calling a new era of “super talent” on the show.
All three judges returned from last season, continuing a familiar dynamic viewers have grown to love. Bryan and Richie have been fixtures on the panel since Season 16 in 2018, while Underwood—who famously won American Idol Season 4—joined the judging lineup in Season 23. Longtime host Ryan Seacrest also returned, marking an incredible 24th year with the franchise.
Ahead of the premiere, Seacrest reflected on the show’s evolution in an interview with PEOPLE, noting how today’s contestants often grew up watching Idol and seeing themselves reflected on the stage for the first time.
“A lot of people say, ‘I never thought I’d try out for this show,’” Seacrest shared. “But they saw someone like them—someone not cookie-cutter—and thought, ‘It could be me.’ That’s the evolution of Idol.”
The Ratings Tell the Story
According to Deadline, the Season 24 premiere drew 5.9 million total viewers, earning a 0.54 rating among adults ages 18–49. That’s a significant jump from Season 23’s premiere, which brought in 4.49 million viewers—an increase of nearly 1.5 million year over year.
The strong showing marks American Idol’s most-watched season premiere in four years, dating back to Season 20 in 2022.
Several factors likely fueled the surge. Season 23 ended on a high note, with a record-breaking 26 million votes cast in the finale and Jamal Roberts crowned champion. That momentum carried straight into Season 24, as viewers tuned in to see who might follow in his footsteps.
ABC also promoted the new season early and often. The show was officially renewed in May 2025, with the judges announced by August, giving fans months to build anticipation. The move to Monday nights—after previously airing on Sundays—appears to have paid off as well.
Add in a slate of fresh changes, including Hollywood Week relocating to Nashville, a new voting format, and expanded rounds during the Hawaii stage, and it’s clear why curiosity was high.
With impressive ratings, emotional performances, and viral moments already circulating online, American Idol Season 24 is off to a powerful start. If the premiere is any indication, viewers are in for a memorable season ahead.
