American Idol Season 9 release time, host, judges and how to watch live on TV and online: Global release timings for all regions

American Idol Season 9 release time, host, judges and how to watch live on TV and online information is here. American Idol returns with a new season on ABC. Viewers are searching for clear information on schedules, hosts, judges, and viewing options. This explainer covers the American Idol Season 9 release time, host, judges and how to watch live on TV and online. The show moves to a new night. It also introduces new rounds, new voting options, and new locations. Fans can watch live on TV or stream online. Episodes will also be available on demand. The season continues the format of auditions, competition rounds, and live voting. ABC and Fremantle produce the series with 19 Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television.

American Idol Season 9 release time, host, judges and how to watch live on TV and online

American Idol Season 9 premieres on Monday, January 26. The first episode airs from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. New episodes will air every Monday night in the same time slot.

Viewers can watch the show live on ABC using a cable subscription. Episodes are also available through the ABC app and ABC.com with a valid TV provider login.


For viewers without cable, live TV streaming services offer access. These include DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV. DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial and plans start at $49.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV offer free trials for new users.

American Idol Season 9 global release timings for all regions

The release timings for the premiere is:

• United States (Eastern Time) – 8:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. PT
• United Kingdom – 1:00 a.m. GMT (Jan 27)
• Europe (Central European Time, CET) – 2:00 a.m. CET (Jan 27)
• India (IST) – 7:30 a.m. IST (Jan 27)
• Australia (Sydney, AEDT) – 1:00 p.m. AEDT (Jan 27)
• Canada (Eastern Time) – 8:00 p.m. ET / Pacific Time 5:00 p.m. PT
• New Zealand (NZDT) – 3:00 p.m. NZDT (Jan 27)
• Japan (JST) – 10:00 a.m. JST (Jan 27)
• South Korea (KST) – 10:00 a.m. KST (Jan 27)
• Singapore / Malaysia (SGT / MYT) – 9:00 a.m. (Jan 27)
• UAE (GST) – 12:00 a.m. GST (Jan 27)

How to watch American Idol Season 9 live on TV and online?

American Idol Season 9 episodes will stream the next day on Hulu, Disney+, and ABC.com. Hulu offers a 30-day free trial for new users. After the trial, the ad-supported plan costs $10.99 per month. The ad-free plan costs $18.99 per month.

Disney+ bundles that include Hulu start at $12.99 per month. The full bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and Max costs $32.99 per month.

American Idol Season 9 host and judges

Ryan Seacrest returns as host. The judging panel includes Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood. Carrie Underwood won American Idol in 2005 and joined the panel after Katy Perry exited the show.

What changes in American Idol 2026?

Auditions took place at Belmont University in Nashville. Hollywood Week moves to Nashville and becomes Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover. This round features one main performance cut.

A new Ohana Round takes place in Hawai‘i at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. The Top 30 contestants perform for industry tastemakers, peers, and family members. Only 20 contestants advance.

Industry participants include Loren Gray, Anthony Gargiula, Cheryl Porter, Kelly Sutton, Shirley Halperin, Evan Ross Katz, Kaniyia Brown, and Terry McCaskill.

The season also introduces social media voting alongside text and phone voting.

American Idol broadcast history

American Idol airs on ABC and has done so since 2018. The show previously aired on FOX from 2002 to 2016. Episodes that are missed live can be watched on Hulu the next day.

FAQs

Q1: What is the American Idol Season 9 release time and where can viewers watch it live?
American Idol Season 9 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Viewers can watch live on ABC, ABC apps, or live TV streaming services.

Q2: Who are the host and judges in American Idol Season 9?
Ryan Seacrest hosts the show. Judges include Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan for the 2026 season on ABC.