‘American Idol’ Season 11 Premiere Date Revealed

FOX has announced the premiere date for Season 11 of “American Idol.”

The singing reality competition, featuring returning judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, will head back to the network with a two-hour show on Wednesday, January 18, at 8PM ET/PT.

The following night, “Idol” rolls out a one-hour show beginning at 8 PM ET/PT.

Additionally, a special “Idol” episode will air on Sunday, January 22, after the NFC Championship Game.

In related “Idol” news, just last week, the show’s executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe said he did not expect many changes for Season 11.

“I think we made a lot of tweaks last year,” Lythgoe told the Associated Press. “I’m not sure that we want to make too many more tweaks this year.”

However, “Idol” will keep one alteration they instituted last season – not making genre singers try out a new style.

“The biggest change we made last year was to say, ‘OK, if you’re a country singer you can sing any of these genres in your country style,’” Lythgoe said. “‘We’re not going to force you to do rock or anything you can’t do. You can take a Michael Jackson song and turn it country.’”

FOX also announced on Thursday that J.J. Abrams mystery-drama “Alcatraz,” starring Jorge Garcia, will premiere on Monday, January 6 at 8 PM.