Official: ABC To Reboot 'Idol'

“American Idol,” the genre-shattering singing competition show that went off the air just a year ago because of falling ratings, is coming back to television.

ABC announced on Tuesday morning that it will revive the old Fox hit sometime during the 2017-18 television season, according to the NYTimes.

ABC announced the news on “Good Morning America.” The network did not say who the judges would be, or a host. Ryan Seacrest, the longtime host of “Idol,” joined ABC and Disney’s syndicated morning show, “Live,” last week.

Even by the standards of broadcast networks that are desperately plumbing any corner for a hit, this is a head-spinning move.

“American Idol,” which debuted in 2002, was a once dominant ratings player in network TV for Fox, and the standard-bearer for an era of amateur talent shows. But over its last few seasons — as it cycled through judges and rival competition shows like “The Voice” slowed its momentum — the show’s audience collapsed. Fox announced it was ending its “Idol” run two years ago, and the show’s final episode was in April 2016. Few were surprised when the decision was announced.