ABC said Monday that country star Luke Bryan, singer-songwriter Lionel Richie and former "American Idol" champion Carrie Underwood will return to the judging panel for the show’s 24th season, scheduled to air in 2026. The season will be the ninth to run on ABC and its sister streaming service Hulu since the franchise moved from Fox in 2018. Prospective contestants can begin trying out on Aug. 26, when the live, virtual audition program "Idol Across America" opens in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Additional region-specific and nationwide open-call dates are set through late September, according to the network. Underwood joined the panel last season, becoming the first former winner to serve as a judge after replacing Katy Perry. Season 23 concluded in May with Mississippi physical-education teacher Jamal Roberts taking the title.