American Idol is expanding its reach for Season 24. The show currently airs on ABC but will also begin simultaneously streaming live on Disney+, beginning on March 30. Plus, the series will continue to stream the next day on Hulu, even after it enters its Disney+ era.
This news comes following an impressive showing for Idol’s Season 24 premiere on January 26. After three days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and digital platforms, the premiere raked in 8.27 million total viewers with a 1.04 rating in the target 18-49 demographic.
The Season 24 premiere was the show’s best premiere performance in total viewers since 2022. For comparison, Idol’s Season 23 premiere in 2025 brought in 6.88 million viewers and a .97 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
Fans of the show will get even more American Idol content in the months to come, as well, thanks to the launch of American Idol Official Podcast, which debuts on Disney+ and Hulu to coincide with the start of the Season 24 live shows.
“The podcast will dive deeper into America’s most iconic music competition series, exploring the performances everyone’s talking about, and offering exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis of the judges’ critiques,” a press release revealed.
Things are just getting started on American Idol this season, with judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie currently in the process of being introduced to new talent in the auditions phase of the competition. Those who receive golden tickets from the judges during their auditions will next head to Hollywood Week, which is taking place in Nashville for the first time in Season 24. From there, the Top 30 will head to Hawaii for the Ohana Round.
By the end of March, the live shows will begin, which is when viewers will have the chance to start casting their votes for their favorite contestants. One singer will be voted as the next American Idol during the May finale.
American Idol 2026 Spoilers: Top 30 & 20 Season 24 Contestant List & Aulani Round Song Picks
American Idol shook up the format for season 24, as fans are well aware. Besides moving all the auditions to Belmont University in Franklin Tennessee, the traditional Hollywood Week also took place in Nashville. At the end of “Nashville Week,” 30 contestants remained to compete in what’s called the Ohana Round. The Top 20 filmed last week (Thurs & Fri, Jan 29 & 30) at the Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii.
The contestants performed in front of the judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. As always, Ryan Seacrest served as host. In a new twist, a group of “Industry Tastemakers” helped judge the contestants.
Platinum tickets are still in play and three were chosen by a “focus group” of “Industry Tastemakers” who watched the Top 30 perform in Hawai’i.
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Three week Ohana Round
The Ohana Round will also feature country superstar Brad Paisley as a guest mentor for the Top 20. According to photos on the ABC media website, Sasha Farber, pro dancer from Dancing with the Stars was also in Hawaii.
The Ohana Round will air over three weeks. Week one is called Ohana Round and will feature the Top 30 performing for the “Industry Tastemakers” plus their fellow finalists, two family members and friends. After the judges chose the Top 20, the contestants performed songs across two nights (airing week 2 and week 3), presumably for America’s Vote.
According to Futon Critic, the Ohana Round will air on Monday, March 9 (Ohana Round Top 30), Monday March 16 & 23 (Top 20 parts 1 & 2).
And guess what! Once again, we got SPOILERS for both the Top 30 and Top 20, supplied by trusted sources. These spoilers COULD be wrong, but we feel certain that the vast majority of names on the lists are correct.
The song spoilers are incomplete. Watch this space for updates.
American Idol 2026 Season 24 Top 30 and Top 20 Contestant List
Top 30
- Abayomi
- Bella Emry
- Braden Rumfelt
- Brenna Brigman
- Brianna Yancey
- Brooks Rosser
- Bryant Thomas
- Chloe Lauren
- Chris Tungseth
- Daniel Stallworth
- Genevieve Heyward
- Hannah Harper
- Jacquie Lee
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling
- Jordan McCullough
- Julian Kalel
- Keyla Richardson
- Kiera Howell
- Kyndal
- Kutter Bradley
- Lucas Leon
- Madison Moon
- Makiyah Mustiful
- Michael Garner
- Philmon Lee
- Rae Boyd
- Ruby Rae
- Sheldon Riley
- Tianna Roberts
Top 20:
- Abayomi
- Braden Rumfelt
- Brooks Rosser
- Chris Tungseth
- Daniel Stallworth
- Genevieve Heyward
- Hannah Harper
- Jake Thistle
- Jesse Findling
- Jordan McCullough
- Julian Kalel
- Keyla Richardson
- Kutter Bradley
- Kyndal Inskeep
- Lucas Leon
- Madison Moon
- Makiyah Mustiful
- Philmon Lee
- Rae Boyd
- Ruby Rae
Top 20 song choices (not in order)
- “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and The News – Jake Thistle
- “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn (Calum Scott Version) – Brooks Rosser
- “Love on The Brain” by Rihanna – Braden Rumfelt
- “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj – Makiyah Mustiful
- “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan – Genevieve Heyward
- “Ain’t No Grave” by Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs – Hannah Harper
- “Call Your Mom” by Noah Kahan – Kyndal Inskeep
- “You Found Me by The Fray – Jesse Findling
- “It’s Not Over” by Daughtry – Kutter Bradley
- Daniel Stallworth
Ohana Night 2 song choices (not in order)
- “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson – Madison Moon
- “Just to See You Smile” by Tim McGraw – Lucas Leon
- “Drag Me Down” by One Direction – Ruby Rae
- “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 – Jordan McCullough
American Idol, Season 24, Mondays, 8/7c, ABC and Streaming on Disney+ Beginning March 30
