Overview
- The new promo shows Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood touring a fictional Idol University as Ryan Seacrest welcomes them.
- Season 24 is slated to debut on Monday, January 26, 2026 on ABC, with Richie, Bryan and Underwood returning to the panel and Seacrest back as host.
- Entertainment reporting notes the date is the earliest season start in a decade and could extend the run if the show follows its usual mid-May finish, according to The Boot.
- The video highlights framed photos of alumni such as Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Jamal Roberts, a stats display of awards and records, and a playful wall of Seacrest hairstyles.
- Clay Aiken appears in a wink-filled cameo, and outlets report a format tweak that replaces multi-round Hollywood Week with a single Nashville-based 'Music City Takeover' round.