“American Idol” might be going off the air after its next season, but it won’t be offering any of its infamous judges’ shakeups in its final run.
Judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., will all be back on the judges’ panel, while Ryan Seacrest will also return as host.
The announcement was made at Fox’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Monday.
Fox announced on Monday that “Idol,” a once massive hit that’s waned considerably in the ratings in recent years, will return in January for its 15th and final season.
In a subsequent conference call with reporters, Fox TV Group co-chairman and CEO Gary Newman said that it “was not an easy decision” to end the show, calling it a “vital part of the network’s success.
Newman did say, however, that he’s pleased the show wasn’t yanked abruptly.
“We really wanted to do it in a way that felt special and celebratory,” he said, noting that they never really considered moving it back to summer. “The right way to send this show out is … in the time period it’s had for the last few years.”