‘American Idol’ Revival Update: ABC Outbids FOX For Reboot; Which Judges Will Return?

ABC is close to finalizing a deal to reboot “American Idol.”

Earlier this week, it was reported that ABC has joined in the bidding to revive the hit singing reality TV competition that used to air on FOX. On Friday, Variety reported that ABC already has a deal in place with Fremantle Media and co-owner Core Media Group. The network has also outbid FOX and is eyeing a possible March 2018 premiere for “American Idol.”

Read: “American Idol” revival still possible on ABC

In February, NBC and FOX both considered reviving “American Idol.” However, their plans didn’t push through. Last month, it was revealed that there was internal battle between Fremantle Media and Core Media Group. The former proposed the idea to reboot the show to NBC.

However, Core Media Group didn’t think NBC was the right network for “American Idol.” After all, NBC is already the home of “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent.” If they will still be in charge of releasing “American Idol,” the number of seasons per year for “The Voice” will be cut. Additionally, “American Idol” will be released after “America’s Got Talent,” and there could be a conflict of interest between the two shows.

As of late, it is still unclear whether or not “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest will be returning for the reboot. After all, he was just recently tapped to co-host “Live” with Kelly Ripa. The talk show films in New York, and the home of “American Idol” has always been Los Angeles.

It is also unclear which judges will return to the reboot. Over the past 15 years, the reality show welcomed a handful of judges who helped critic and commend the contestants. Original judge Simon Cowell will most likely not return because he is still involved with “America’s Got Talent” and “The X-Factor UK.” There is also no word on whether or not Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will be back.

When the reality TV show ended on April 7, 2016, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. were the ones left on the judges’ panel. According to Variety, it’s possible that “American Idol” Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson will be returning as a judge next year. The singer also served as guest judge in the farewell season of “American Idol.”

In Season 15, Clarkson performed an emotional rendition of her single, “Piece By Piece,” which brought her and Urban to tears. While speaking with Billboard, Clarkson explained why she became so moved by her own performance that night. “It was just, stars aligned for me to really be screwed emotionally that night. It was just the last time I was on ‘Idol’ and my little kid is running around the same hallways that I was running around at 19. I was just super screwed,” she said.

Talking about the fact that she also cried on stage, Clarkson admitted that she felt embarrassed. “It’s so funny to me that everybody was like, ‘It was remarkable!’ Well, crying on national television isn’t really my idea of a good time,” she joked.

But in the end, Clarkson’s performance helped boost the sales for both the track and her album.