Australian Idol Premiere Date Announced

Australian Idol is returning to our television screens, and fast. The reality talent show will premiere on Monday, 30 January, on Channel 7, the same night as competitors Married At First Sight (Nine) and Australian Survivor: Heroes v Villains (Ten), via TV Tonight.

Nine is the first to confirm a 7:30 pm start for Married At First Sight, while viewers have to wait a bit longer to find out what time Australian Idol and Australian Survivor will play. The three reality-based series' make up the bulk of their respective networks' Quarter One ratings.

7 and 7plus revealed the First Look teaser for Australian Idol in October. 

In the video, the judges share why they've signed on to the show. Harry Connick Jr. says, "I'm here to find something special." Amy Shark is here "to find the diamond in the rough." Meghan Trainor wants to "make a dream come true." Meanwhile, Kyle Sandilands is on the panel to "keep it real."

The judges vow to leave no stone unturned, proclaiming, "an entire generation has been waiting for this - the biggest star-maker on the planet is back", with excursions through memory lane, watching Aussies and American Idol singers Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert find success. 

The show's contestants soundtrack the trailer in the Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, singing the Rihanna hit, Diamonds. 

Australian Idol will be hosted by multi-platinum-selling, ARIA Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ricki-Lee - who was discovered on the show in 2004 - and E! Network host Scott Tweedie.

The First Look trailer follows the announcement of Marcia Hines rejoining Australian Idol as a guest judge. "I'm returning to Australian Idol in 2023 as a guest judge!" she said. "I feel honoured to have been asked to come back. Australian Idol is a great vehicle for uncovering some fantastic Australian talent. What a ride!" 

The judging panel was announced in September last year, along with four new application prerequisites, which are: Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (for at least two years), be between 15 and 28 years old (as of 1 September 2022), be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 with three doses and valid vaccination certificates, and not have any contract, arrangement or agreement with any other TV program, producer or record label.