American Idol is coming back to Atlanta, and not just to find the next music superstar, but to stay permanently.
Deadline, an entertainment trade website, reports that the long-running talent show is leaving Los Angeles and will plant its stage in Metro Atlanta. When it does, it will become one of the most popular productions based in the strong and growing Atlanta film and TV market.
Deadline reports that the show’s producer, Fremantle, is talking with an unnamed local studio, but a deal has not yet been signed. Tyler Perry Studios, Trilith Studios and Assembly Studios would be among the most likely homes for the talent competition. Little else has been confirmed about the move from the producers of the show.
Idol, which is seen locally on ABC affiliate WSB-TV, is nearing its 25th season on the air. The show, co-produced by Sony-owned 19 Entertainment, saw its most popular years when it was on the Fox network (seen in Atlanta on WAGA TV) from 2002 to 2016. It reactivated on ABC in 2018 and has been a Sunday evening staple on the network ever since. It has spawned such mega-stars as first-year winner Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson.
Idol is hosted by Atlanta native and former WSTR Star 94 DJ Ryan Seacrest. He joined Star 94 at age 16 and was a protege of Atlanta radio legend Tom Sullivan. He studied journalism at UGA (like current local Atlanta journalists WXIA’s Chris Holcomb, WANF’s Ella Dorsey, Falcons writer Tori McElhaney, WAGA’s Georgia Chambers, among others). After several hosting stints in the early 90’s, Seacreast joined Idol as co-host with single-season host Brian Dunkelman in 2002. In addition to his Idol hosting duties, he also hosts the national CHR countdown show American Top 40, the syndicated Wheel of Fortune, co-hosts Live With Kelly and Ryan, and executive produces as well as hosts Dick Clark‘s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Secreast, through his Ryan Secreast Foundation, also operates one of 14 Secreast Studios at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which gives ailing children the multimedia experience and interests them in the world of mass media and technology.
The judges, who are likely to return when the show heads to the ATL, are Lionel Richie, Underwood, and Luke Bryan.
Idol will join other programs produced and filmed in Atlanta, like Will Trent, The Challenger, Guilty Creatures, and Shark Tank.
Image credit: Angela George, CC 3.0
