June 12, 2017

ABCS AMERICAN IDOL HITS THE ROAD

Auditions to Take Place in 19 Cities Across America

Simultaneous East and West Bus Tours Commence Thursday, August 17

in Orlando, Florida, and Portland, Oregon

Exactly fifteen years ago, American Idol hit TV screens for the first time, forever changing the
landscape of reality competition programming. In celebration of the franchises anniversary, which
also marks the birth year of this seasons youngest eligible contestant, the producers of American
Idol announced today the start of auditions for the new season of the show, which will be
broadcast from its new home on ABC. The nationwide search for the next superstar kicks off on
THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, as the Idol Bus jumps into gear across America, offering hopefuls the
chance to audition for a shot at superstardom.

From Portland, Oregon, to Orlando, Florida, American Idol will search every corner of the nation
in its pursuit for talent. Auditioning has never been easier, with the series also taking to the internet,
offering hopefuls the opportunity to submit audition videos online at www.americanidol.com or by
showing off their talent via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Musical.ly using the hashtag
#TheNextIdol.

American Idol auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):

West Bus Tour East Bus Tour

Portland, OR Aug 17 Orlando, FL Aug 17
Oakland, CA Aug 20 Miami, FL Aug 19
Provo, UT Aug 23 Atlanta, GA Aug 22
Denver, CO Aug 26 Charleston, SC Aug 25
Omaha, NE Aug 29 Asheville, NC Aug 27
Tulsa, OK Sept 1 Louisville, KY Aug 30
Shreveport, LA Sept 4 Pittsburgh, PA Sept 3
Muscle Shoals, AL Sept 7 Annapolis, MD Sept 5
Boston, MA Sept 8
Open Audition Cities
Chicago, IL Sept 11
New Orleans, LA Sept 14

You must be at least 15 years old to audition. Please visit www.americanidol.com for more details on
specific audition locations, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions.

Suggested Tweets:
ABC's @AmericanIdol bus hits the road this summer! Head to www.americanidol.com to find an
audition city near you! #TheNextIdol | Click to Tweet: https://ctt.ec/9dd56

ABC's @AmericanIdol online auditions are now open! Are you #TheNextIdol? Check out
www.americanidol.com to submit your audition today. | Click to Tweet: https://ctt.ec/62hbA

American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of

CORE Media Group. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North Americas Trish Kinane
and Jennifer Mullin along with co-executive producer, Megan Wolflick. FremantleMedia
International distributes the series worldwide.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, with current hits including
groundbreaking dramas Designated Survivor, Quantico, Scandal How to Get Away with
Murder, Greys Anatomy, Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Once Upon a Time. The ABC
Television Network is also home to the Emmy-winning Modern Family and trailblazing comedy
favorites black-ish, American Housewife, Fresh Off the Boat, The Goldbergs, The Middle
and Speechless; hit game shows $100,000 Pyramid, Celebrity Family Feud, Match Game
and To Tell the Truth; reality phenomenon Shark Tank, the iconic Bachelor franchise, long-
running hits Dancing with the Stars and Americas Funniest Home Videos, and the return of
American Idol; General Hospital, which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with
daytime talk show The Chew; and late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. The network also
boasts some of televisions most prestigious awards shows, including The Oscars, The CMA
Awards, The American Music Awards and The Billboard Music Awards.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia,
which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded
entertainment division and a kids & family entertainment business. As one of the worlds largest
and most successful creators, producers and distributors of TV brands in the world,
FremantleMedias comprehensive global network has operations in 31 countries, creating over
10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 45 formats and managing over 350
individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200
territories. For more information follow us @FMNATV and visit our Facebook page.

About CORE Media Group

CORE Media Group (CMG) is a leading independent media and entertainment company that
creates quality programming for linear television and digital platforms through its in-house creative
team, as well as a myriad of partnerships with well-established industry leaders including Sharp
Entertainment and B-17. Through CMGs19 Entertainment, it co-produces American Idol, the
gold standard of music competition programs, and the enduring franchise, So You Think You Can
Dance (returning on FOX for a 14th season).

CMGs 19 Recordings has been a part of the successful music careers of platinum artists Kelly
Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry and Colton Dixon, just to name a few. The newest television
series under the CORE umbrella include The Wall for NBC and Caraoke Showdown for Spike.
Media Contacts
ABC Media Relations:
Katherine Taylor Caly Johnson
(818) 460-7920 (818) 460- 5242
Katherine.Taylor@abc.com Caly.Johnson@disney.com

Cathy Rehl Nate Reeves

(212) 456-6749 (818) 460-6422
Cathy.Rehl@abc.com Nate.Reeves@abc.com

FremantleMedia North America:

Emma Harvey
(818) 748-1236
emma.harvey@fremantlemedia.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol/
Instagram: @AmericanIdol
Twitter: @AmericanIdol
Snapchat: @americanidolabc
Musical.ly: @americanidol
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/americanidol
Brand Website: americanidol.com

-- ABC --