May 9, 2017

That didn't take long. Just over one year since Fox aired the final episode of American Idol, ABC has struck a new deal to revive the series as part of its prime time lineup in the 2017-2018 season. Rumors had been swirling for weeks that ABC and Fox were involved in a bidding war to bring the once-dominant singing competition back to the air.

American Idol originally premiered back in 2002, where it quickly gained popularity and eventually became a flagship series for Fox, dominating in the ratings for a good number of its years on the air. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the series re-invigorated the popularity of prime time talent competitions, resulting in countless attempts by other networks to duplicate its success. While most failed to make a similar impact, others - notably NBC's The Voice - continue to draw strong ratings to this day.

A statement released by the network promises a "bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol," adding "ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams."

A host and judging panel have yet to be announced for Idol's revival, though there has been talk that Seacrest could make a return to the show that helped make him a household name.