Mon Mar 17 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## American Idol Crowns Carrie Underwood as New Judge in Season 23 Premiere
**Los Angeles, CA** – American Idol is back! The iconic singing competition returns to ABC on Sunday, March 9th, at 8 p.m. ET/PT with a two-hour season premiere. Season 23 marks a new chapter for the show, with the departure of longtime judge Katy Perry and the addition of country superstar Carrie Underwood.
Underwood, the 2005 American Idol winner, joins returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. In an interview, Underwood described her judging style as “honest and constructive, but still kind,” promising to be a supportive presence in the contestants’ journeys. Perry’s departure, announced last year, is to focus on her music career following the release of her latest album.
This season also introduces a new “artist in residence” program, starting in Hollywood Week. Grammy-nominated artist Jelly Roll will mentor contestants, offering guidance on navigating the music industry. Longtime host Ryan Seacrest returns for his twentieth season.
The premiere will feature auditions, with the first three episodes showcasing hopefuls vying for a spot in Hollywood Week. While the full episode count for Season 23 remains unconfirmed, last season spanned 18 episodes, concluding in mid-May.
Fans can watch the premiere live on ABC or stream it on Hulu the following day. Several live TV streaming services, including DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu+ Live TV, and Fubo, also offer access to the show.
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