The current season of American Idol is drawing to a close, with the finale scheduled for May 11. The live broadcast will feature a lineup of celebrity guests, notable musical performances from the finalists and judges, and will culminate in the crowning of the show’s newest champion.
The May 4th episode celebrated the 20th anniversary of Season 5 with a “Class of 2006 Reunion.” This special segment saw the return of former contestants such as Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler, Elliott Yamin, Bucky Covington, and the Season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks. Original judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul also made appearances, offering mentorship to the Top 5 contestants. Abdul also joined the current judging panel as a guest judge alongside Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
This episode also saw the field of competitors narrowed from the Top 5 to the Top 3 finalists. Hannah Harper (26), Jordan McCullough (27), and Keyla Richardson (29) advanced to the final round to compete for the title of American Idol. Conversely, Chris Tungseth (27) and Braden Rumfelt (23) were eliminated.
Viewers seeking details about the finale, including broadcast times, viewing options, and voting procedures, will find them outlined below.
What Time Is The American Idol Season 24 Finale?
The American Idol Season 24 finale is scheduled to air on Monday, May 11, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+. The three-hour broadcast is expected to conclude with the announcement of the winner around 11 p.m. ET.
Who’s Performing During The American Idol Season 24 Finale?
The extensive finale lineup includes performances by judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. According to People, the trio will perform a rendition of Richie’s song “Deep River Woman.” Bryan is also set to perform his new track “Fish Hunt Golf Drink” as a solo act, and later collaborate with finalist Julián Kalel on Dwight Yoakam’s “A Thousand Miles from Nowhere.” Underwood will share the stage with the rock band Mötley Crüe.
Guest mentor Alicia Keys is also scheduled to perform. The event will feature additional artists such as Brad Paisley, Blues Traveler, Cameron Whitcomb, Clay Aiken, En Vogue, Gin Blossoms, Jason Mraz, Lee Ann Womack, Nelly, Shinedown, and Tori Kelly.
How To Watch The American Idol Season 24 Finale
The American Idol Season 24 finale will be broadcast live on ABC. For viewers without cable television, ABC can be accessed through live TV streaming services that include the network, such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and FuboTV, many of which offer free trial periods.
How To Watch American Idol On Streaming
The finale will also be available for live streaming via a Disney+ subscription. Subscription plans start at $11.99 per month for the ad-supported Basic plan and $18.99 per month for the ad-free Premium plan. Disney+ offers bundle options that include Hulu, ESPN+, and other services. Currently, Disney+ does not provide a free trial.
For those who do not need to watch live, episodes of the American Idol Season 24 finale will be available for on-demand streaming on ABC.com and Hulu starting the day after the live broadcast. Hulu’s subscription plans begin at $11.99 per month, with variable pricing based on selected plans or bundles.
How To Vote In The American Idol Season 24 Finale
There are three methods for casting votes for the next American Idol winner, including a new social media voting option. It has been announced that the American Idol app will no longer be used for voting this season. The available voting methods are as follows:
- Website: Prospective voters can visit AmericanIdol.com/Vote.
- Social Media: During the designated voting period, users can cast their vote by commenting the first name of their preferred finalist on the official pinned voting post on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
- SMS Texting: Voters can text the unique contestant number, displayed on-screen during the show, to 21523.
Each voting method allows for up to 10 votes per finalist for each voting session.
Who Are All The American Idol Winners?
For those interested in the show’s history, a comprehensive list of American Idol winners from Season 1 to the present is provided below.
- Season 1: Kelly Clarkson
- Season 2: Ruben Studdard
- Season 3: Fantasia Barrino
- Season 4: Carrie Underwood
- Season 5: Taylor Hicks
- Season 6: Jordin Sparks
- Season 7: David Cook
- Season 8: Kris Allen
- Season 9: Lee DeWyze
- Season 10: Scotty McCreery
- Season 11: Phillip Phillips
- Season 12: Candice Glover
- Season 13: Caleb Johnson
- Season 14: Nick Fradiani
- Season 15: Trent Harmon
- Season 16: Maddie Poppe
- Season 17: Laine Hardy
- Season 18: Just Sam (Samantha Diaz)
- Season 19: Chayce Beckham
- Season 20: Noah Thompson
- Season 21: Iam Tongi
- Season 22: Abi Carter
- Season 23: Jamal Roberts
- Season 24: To Be Announced
Business Style Takeaway: The approaching finale of American Idol underscores the enduring appeal of talent competition reality television as a format for generating significant audience engagement and media attention. The integration of social media voting and multi-platform streaming reflects the evolving strategies required to maintain relevance and accessibility in the modern media landscape.
Source: : www.forbes.com