FOX Sets January Premiere Dates New Drama EMPIRE & AMERICAN IDOL

FOX is announcing winter premiere dates for new drama EMPIRE and the return of AMERICAN IDOL XIV.

AMERICAN IDOL XIV returns with a special, two-night, three-hour premiere event Wednesday, Jan. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 8 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Featuring host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., the fun starts when the competition launches its search for America's next superstar with auditions from Kansas City, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco.

The epic family battle begins when the powerful new drama EMPIRE debuts, with limited commercial interruption, on Wednesday, Jan. 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following AMERICAN IDOL XIV (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). From Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Precious"), Emmy Award winner Danny Strong ("Game Change," "Lee Daniels' The Butler") and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer ("A Beautiful Mind," "24"), comes a drama about a family dynasty, set within a world of music, glamour, danger and power. Featuring music by prolific producer Timbaland, the series stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson ("No Good Deed," "Person of Interest").

Additional premiere dates and schedule details to be announced.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by FremantleMedia NORTH AMERICA and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. The series was created by Simon Fuller. "Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion using #idol. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @AmericanIdol.