'American Idol' Cast News: 2016 Will Be Final Season, 'It Was Not An Easy Decision'
The singing show that launched Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson and many more is officially coming to an end.
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American Idol will be ending after 15 seasons next year, according to a new announcement by Fox. The singing competition will conclude with one final season in 2016 with host Ryan Seacrest coming back with the same three judges, Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.
"It was not an easy decision.' American Idol' has been such a vital part of Fox for its run," Gary Newman, Fox Television Group chairman and CEO said Monday, adding, "we all arrived at the conclusion that it was time to bring the show to an end," said Newman. "But we wanted to do it in a way that was special and celebratory."
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The show will reportedly include tributes to past contestants and judges in the 15th season.
"We're going to deliver a really special season next year," Newman said.
American Idol was the no. 1 show on television for several years though recent years have seen the show's ratings falling rapidly. The exit of original judge Simon Cowell was a turning point for the show and its current iteration is falling behind timeslot competition like CBS's Survivor and ABC's The Middle.
However, its legacy on television and music itself can not be undervalued. Launching superstars like Clarkson and Underwood as well as other winners like Phillip Phillips and Scotty McCreery cannot be said for any other singing competition on TV. Hudson, a seventh placer in season 3 went on to win an Oscar.
