Disney/ABC unveils midseason schedule, including American Idol premiere date
ABC reveals its 2025 midseason premiere dates, including the start date for American Idol season 23 (Season 8 on ABC) The veteran competition series bows on the network Sunday March 8 at 8 pm, which is a few weeks later than the last couple of seasons that kicked off in mid-February.
“The search for a superstar begins when American Idol premieres Sunday, March 9, on ABC,” from the DIsney/ABC press release, “with Carrie Underwood joining Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest a remarkable 20 years after she claimed the title.”
Luke and Lionel have sat on the judges panel since the ABC version of the series premiered in 2018. Katy Perry, who reportedly commanded a high salary, departed from the show to devote time to her music career. Reports say that Carrie is earning a considerably smaller salary. How much belt tightening will American Idol do as broadcast networks and ratings continue to shrink?
ABC MIDSEASON PRIMETIME SCHEDULE PREMIERE DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific).
THURSDAY, JAN 2
8:00 p.m. – “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (Series Premiere)
9:00 p.m – “Only Murders in the Building” (Broadcast Season Two Premiere – two hours)
SUNDAY, JAN 5
7:00 p.m. – “AFV” (Midseason Return)
8:00 p.m. – The Wonderful World of Disney
TUESDAY, JAN 7
8:00 p.m. – “Will Trent” (Season Three Premiere)
9:00 p.m. – “High Potential” (Midseason Return)
10:00 p.m. – “The Rookie” (Season Seven Premiere)
WEDNESDAY, JAN 8
8:00 p.m. – “Shifting Gears” (Series Premiere)
8:30 p.m. – “Abbott Elementary” (Midseason Return)
9:02 p.m. – “Celebrity Jeopardy!” (Season Three Premiere)
10:02 p.m. – “What Would You Do?” (Midseason Return)
FRIDAY, JAN 17
8:00 p.m. – “Shark Tank” (Midseason Return)
SATURDAY, JAN 25
8:00 p.m. – “NBA Countdown Presented by Papa Johns”
8:30 p.m. – Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
MONDAY, JAN 27
8:00 p.m. – “The Bachelor” (Season 29 Premiere – two hours)
10:01 p.m. – “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” (Broadcast Series Premiere)
THURSDAY, JAN 30
9:00 p.m. – “Scamanda” (Series Premiere)
10:00 p.m. – “Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini” (Broadcast Series Premiere)
THURSDAY, MAR 6
8:00 p.m. – “9-1-1” (Midseason Return)
9:00 p.m. – “Doctor Odyssey” (Midseason Return)
10:00 p.m. -“Grey’s Anatomy” (Midseason Return)
SUNDAY, MAR 9
8:00 p.m. – American Idol” (Season Eight Premiere – two hours)
10:00 p.m. – “The $100,000 Pyramid” (Season Eight Premiere)
