AMERICAN IDOL to Resurface on ABC in 2018?

Sources tell TMZ that the long-time singing competition series AMERICAN IDOL will be resurrected on ABC beginning in March 2018. While ABC insists there is no official deal in place, sources tell the site that negotiations are far along and that details are being ironed out as we speak. Both sides are expected to ink a deal "soon."

TMZ also reports that NBC made an offer for the series several months back but was outbid. Idol's original home, FOX, also attempted to reclaim the series but apparently was also outbidded. Sources say that ABC will officially announce the return of Idol at its annual Upfront event in two weeks.

Created by Simon Fuller, Idol began airing on Fox on June 11, 2002, and ended on April 7, 2016. It began as an addition to the Idols format based on the British series Pop Idol, and became one of the most successful shows in the history of American television. The concept of the series involves discovering recording stars from unsigned singing talents, with the winner determined by the viewers in America through telephones, Internet, and SMS text voting. Winners chosen by viewers in its fifteen seasons were Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Phillip Phillips, Candice Glover, Caleb Johnson, Nick Fradiani, and Trent Harmon.

Image courtesy of FOX