Easy come, easy go for the recent hopes of American Idol returning in 2018 as new updates in the supposed “NBC Vs FOX” debate may signal a decision gridlock.
After reports in February and more in March suggested we’d see Idol back on TV as early as 2018 it’s now allegedly back in limbo following disagreements over where the series should go.
Now it looks like the co-producers for American Idol, Fremantle Media and Core Media Group, can’t agree if Idol would be better suited for a return to FOX where it started or to join NBC’s reality TV string of hits with The Voice and America’s Got Talent.
Supposedly Fremantle wanted to bring Idol to NBC with its other series AGT, but Core was concerned having Idol next to AGT could reduce its overall value. Since the pair never countered either NBC or FOX it looks like things could be stuck in a holding pattern until it decides where to land.
Another item to consider here is where this whole story started and ended. TMZ kicked off this frenzy in February claiming a reboot was imminent and then TMZ closed the same rumor down while never having to produce any evidence along the way. How convenient.
If the folks in charge of American Idol are interested in getting it back on TV then it’ll happen. And if we’re talking about getting on the schedules for 2018, 2019, or beyond then there’s plenty of time for the owners and the networks to figure it out. In the meantime we’ll be here waiting and ready to watch again when it happens. You know it’s going to happen. Just a matter of time.