FOX Unveils AMERICAN IDOL Season 12 Programming Schedule

Hosted by the inimitable Ryan Seacrest, AMERICAN IDOL Season 12 features a dynamic new judging panel including Randy Jackson, a Grammy Award-winning producer whose expertise and beloved persona have been instrumental in discovering IDOL talent from the beginning; global superstar and the best-selling female recording artist of all time Mariah Carey; quadruple-platinum singer, songwriter, rapper and fashion icon Nicki Minaj; and Keith Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 15 million albums. Seacrest and the judges will travel to Charlotte, Chicago, Long Beach, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City and San Antonio to find the next superstar who will join the ranks of IDOL alumni Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.

AUDITIONS
The incredible journey begins with a two-night event showcasing the nation's best talent from the New York auditions on Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and the Chicago auditions Thursday, Jan. 17 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Auditions continue for two more weeks on Wednesday, Jan. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Wednesday, Jan. 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 31 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS
The contestants who impress the judges will head to "Hollywood" and be put to the ultimate stage test during the "Hollywood Rounds," airing Wednesday, Feb. 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Feb. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT); and Wednesday, Feb. 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). At the end of the final "Hollywood Round," on Thursday, Feb. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), only the Top 40 contestants - 20 males and 20 females - will remain.

SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS - PHASE ONE: LAS VEGAS
In a new twist, the competition then moves to Las Vegas, where the Top 40 semifinalists will be split into males and females. Starting Wednesday, Feb. 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and continuing Thursday, Feb. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), Wednesday, Feb. 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Feb. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), 10 semifinalists will perform each night - males on Wednesday, females on Thursday - and the judges will be faced with the tough decision of choosing which five will stay each night and which five will be sent home. At the end of the first stage of the semifinals, only 20 contestants will remain.

SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS - PHASE TWO: AMERICA VOTES
It's up to viewers to vote for who will advance to the Top 10 and who will go home, during a special three-night AMERICAN IDOL event. In the season's first live show, airing on a special night, Tuesday, March 5 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the remaining male semifinalists will perform LIVE from Las Vegas for America's vote. On Wednesday, March 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed), the remaining female semifinalists will perform LIVE. On Thursday, March 7 at 8:00 PM (ET live/PT tape-delayed), America's vote and the AMERICAN IDOL Top 10 finalists will be revealed in the first elimination show LIVE from Los Angeles.

FINALIST PERFORMANCE ROUNDS
The following week, the competition heats up when the finalists perform for the first time LIVE on the IDOL stage Wednesday, March 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed). One finalist's journey will end as America's vote is revealed on Thursday, March 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live /PT tape-delayed).

RECAP
(All AMERICAN IDOL episodes begin at 8:00 PM ET/PT unless otherwise noted)

AUDITIONS

Wednesday, Jan. 16 Season Premiere, Part 1 - New York Auditions

Thursday, Jan. 17 Season Premiere, Part 2 - Chicago Auditions

Wednesday, Jan. 23 Audition Episode

Thursday, Jan. 24 Audition Episode

Wednesday, Jan. 30 Audition Episode

Thursday, Jan. 31 Audition Episode

HOLLYWOOD ROUNDS

Wednesday, Feb. 6 Hollywood Round, Part 1

Thursday, Feb. 7 Hollywood Round, Part 2

-more-

"AMERICAN IDOL" SEASON 12 - Page 3

Wednesday, Feb. 13 Hollywood Round, Part 3

Thursday, Feb. 14 Hollywood Round, Part 4 - Top 40 Revealed

SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS - PHASE ONE: LAS VEGAS

Wednesday, Feb. 20 First Group of 10 Male Singers Perform

Thursday, Feb. 21 First Group of 10 Female Singers Perform

Wednesday, Feb. 27 Second Group of 10 Male Singers Perform

Thursday, Feb. 28 Second Group of 10 Female Singers Perform

SEMIFINALIST ROUNDS - PHASE TWO: AMERICA VOTES
(All LIVE episodes begin at 8:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed.)

Tuesday, March 5 Top 10 Male Semifinalists Perform LIVE

Wednesday, March 6 Top 10 Female Semifinalists Perform LIVE

Thursday, March 7 LIVE Results Show; Top 10 Finalists Revealed

FINALIST ROUNDS

Wednesday, March 13 Top 10 LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, March 14 LIVE Results Show; One Finalist Sent Home

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of Core Media Group, and FremantleMedia North America. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment. Trish Kinane, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions also serve as executive producers. "Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at HYPERLINK "http://www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol" www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter HYPERLINK "http://twitter.com/" l "!/AmericanIdol" @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #idol.