The last season of Australian Idol aired in 2009 and was cancelled the following year. Source: Network Seven.
It was an institution in the early 2000s and now the famed singing competition is making its way back to TV screens after more than 10 years off air.
Casting has already begun for the show with Seven Network saying that it will air the first episode in 2023.
However, only people aged between 15 and 28 will be allowed to audition, first via uploading a video or performing for a Seven producer where they will then find out if they’re successful to be featured on TV.
It’s not yet known who the judges will be.
The announcement to revive Australian Idol came in 2020 with Seven’s Director of Programming Angus Ross calling it the “biggest show in the world”. It was originally set for a 2022 debut but due to the COVID-19 pandemic was pushed back.
The singing competition was cancelled by Network Ten in 2010 after poor ratings from the previous seasons with the TV station letting go of its rights in 2013.
The first episode aired on July 27, 2003, with the early seasons having been most popular. It’s been estimated that at the height of popularity, a profit of $900,000 was made per episode from SMS promotions with over 20 million votes cast via phone in the first season alone.
Many notable Australian artists have come from the hit show including Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Matt Corby, Stan Walker, Casey Donovan, and Jessica Mauboy.
The competition’s sister-show America Idol skyrocketed the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Adam Lambert, and Jordin Sparks.
The latest season was judged by Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie
Australian Idol isn’t the first singing talent show Seven Network has acquired in the past few years.
After years of airing on the Nine Network, The Voice Australia made its way over to the Seven Network after the failing to renew the 2021 contract.
CEO and Managing Director of Seven said it was a “coup” for the network.
