Deal is 'in place' for American Idol to find new home at ABC...but Fox 'isn't giving up hope for a homecoming'

By Dailymail.com Reporter

Published: 23:38 EDT, 5 May 2017 | Updated: 03:57 EDT, 6 May 2017

American Idol came to an end after fifteen seasons on Fox in April of 2016, but it's revival appears more imminent than ever.

A deal is 'in place' to bring the show onto the ABC network, according to Variety. 

Production house FremantleMedia and co-owner Core Media Group are said to be near an agreement with ABC for the singing competition show to return as soon as March 2018. 

New home: American Idol has closed a deal with ABC according to a new report from TMZ 

Idol chatter: A deal is 'in place' to bring American Idol back to a new home at ABC, but Fox is said to have put in an 'insane' offer to bring back the singing competition show 

But Fox is putting in an 'insane' offer to bring the show back to it's original network, according to TMZ. 

The website reports that Core and Fremantle are open to both offers and that it's 'all about the deal.' 

Both networks are said to be keen on having Ryan Seacrest return as host, which will be an uphill challenge as he is committed to hosting Live with Kelly Ripa in New York, which also airs on ABC.

Seacrest in?: Reports indicate that both networks want Ryan Seacrest back as host in LA, but face an 'uphill battle' with his obligations with Live With Kelly And Ryan in New York City

Seacrest in?: Reports indicate that both networks want Ryan Seacrest back as host in LA, but face an 'uphill battle' with his obligations with Live With Kelly And Ryan in New York City

As for the judging panel, Kelly Clarkson is one of the names being 'floated' around for the reboot, according to Variety. 

She is of course the original American Idol, taking the first season title in 2002, and has gone on to achieve massive pop music success with hits like Since U Been Gone and Stronger.

In it's fifteenth and 'final' season, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr judged the competition.

The original Idol: Kelly Clarkson, who took the first American Idol title in 2002, has been 'floated around' as a possible name attached to the reboot

The original Idol: Kelly Clarkson, who took the first American Idol title in 2002, has been 'floated around' as a possible name attached to the reboot

J-Lo herself doubted that it was the end of Idol when she was asked about the show's cancellation at a press conference in 2015, according to Billboard.

'I'm sad about the show ending, of course. Do I believe it's really ending? I have not come to terms with that yet, it might not.'

Continuing to cast her doubt, Jennifer added, 'You never know. You never know with these things.' 

Panel: Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr sat on the show's final judging panel, Jennifer doubted the show was over forever in 2015 saying 'You never know with these things'

Panel: Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr sat on the show's final judging panel, Jennifer doubted the show was over forever in 2015 saying 'You never know with these things'

 

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