FOX Exec Talks Future of AMERICAN IDOL

In a conference call with reporters this morning which included the announcement of FOX's 2013-2014 programming schedule, Kevin Reilly, Chairman, Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Company spoke about the future of its long-running singing competition AMERICAN IDOL.

Reilly blamed the show's recent drastic ratings decline on the age of the show as well as some of the creative changes that were made to Season 12?s format. "More so than any one factor is the age of the show right now, but [also] maybe the format this year," Reilly said. "We expanded some of The Middle rounds we did a boy-girl thing that went over three weeks - that's really where the ratings took their biggest hit. The only thing I will confirm is next year, without getting into any specifics, our next season begins on the Friday morning after our [Idol] finale - that's when we're really going to get to work in earnest."

Reilly revealed that changes in format are in store for next year's season. "The format will have a few fresh twists, that we've already identified, that will be a nice little jolt for next season," he shared.

Asked about the fate of the current judge's panel, Reilly confirmed the news that long-time judge Randy Jackson will be departing at the conclusion of the current season. He also maintained that the remaining three judges are all "welcome back," although "everything at this point is on the table." Said Reilly, "We can only confirm that one judge is not coming back, obviously in Randy. It was not a complete a shock. We've talked to Randy, we felt like it was time to move [on], we didn't know the exact timing of it. He's been a great partner for 12 years and there's not an ounce of ill-will there."

He also hinted that the judge's panel may be return to the original three-person format.

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