It’s official. American Idol gets a super early premiere date in 2020. ABC’s third season of the competitive talent show will premiere Sunday February 16 on the network.
We reported the early premiere date back in October and concluded that because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences scheduled the 2020 Oscars earlier than usual–February 9–meant that the network could also move up American Idol. Idol premiered on March 3 in 2019 and on March 11 in 2018. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan will return as coaches, Ryan Seacrest as host, and Bobby Bones as mentor.
But don’t get too excited! The 2021 and 2022 Oscars go back to a late February date due to the 2022 Olympics, Super Bowl and national holidays. Sunday February 28 and 27 are the dates for 2021 and 2022 respectively. Therefore, American Idol will go back to a March premiere date IF ABC renews the show for a 4th and 5th season, and plans to keep a Sunday/Monday schedule.
As previously reported, The Bachelor kicks off MONDAY, JAN. 6 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST), with a three-hour premiere.
ETA: ABC has not officially announced Monday shows for American Idol. If ABC does schedule Monday shows, they won’t begin until The Bachelor ends. In 2019, The Bachelor finale aired Monday March 11 and Tuesday March 12.
NOTE: It’s not a surprise, but once again, Dancing with the Stars is NOT on the ABC Winter Schedule.
Check out ABC’s FULL schedule below
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
7:00-8:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
MONDAY, JAN. 6
8:00-11:00 p.m. “The Bachelor” (SEASON PREMIERE)
TUESDAY, JAN. 7
8:00-9:00 p.m. “JEOPARDY! The Greatest of All Time”
9:00-9:30 p.m. “mixed-ish”
9:30-10:00 p.m. “black-ish”
10:00-11:00 p.m. “Emergence”
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8
9:00-9:31 p.m. “Modern Family”
9:31-10:00 pm. “Single Parents”
10:00-11:00 p.m. “Stumptown”
MONDAY, JAN. 13
10:00-11:00 p.m. “The Good Doctor”
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
8:00-8:30 p.m. “The Goldbergs”
8:30-9:00 p.m. “Schooled”
FRIDAY, JAN. 17
8:00-8:30 p.m. “American Housewife”
TUESDAY, JAN. 21
8:00-8:30 p.m. “The Conners”
8:30-9:00 p.m. “Bless this Mess”
THURSDAY, JAN. 23
“STATION 19” AND “GREY’S ANATOMY” TWO-HOUR CROSSOVER EVENT
8:00-9:00 p.m. “Station 19” (NEW TIME)
9:00-10:01 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy” (NEW TIME)
10:01-11:00 p.m. “A Million Little Things” (NEW TIME)
SUNDAY, FEB. 9
8:00-11:00 p.m. “The Oscars”
TUESDAY, FEB. 11
10:00-11:00 p.m. “For Life” (SERIES PREMIERE)
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
8:00-10:00 p.m. “American Idol” (SEASON PREMIERE)
SUNDAY, FEB. 23
10:00-11:00 p.m. “The Rookie”
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
10:00-11:00 p.m. “How to Get Away with Murder”
