where can you watch american idol
You can watch the newest season of “American Idol” mainly on ABC and Hulu, with a few live TV streaming options also carrying it.
Where can you watch American Idol?
Here’s the current situation for Season 24 (2026):
- ABC (live TV)
- New episodes air Monday nights in prime time on the ABC network (for example, via your local ABC station such as ABC15 in Arizona).
* You can watch through:
* A traditional cable or satellite TV subscription that includes ABC.
* A live TV streaming service that carries ABC in your area (see below).
- Hulu (next‑day streaming)
- Full episodes land on Hulu the day after they air on ABC.
* Standard Hulu works if you’re fine with watching on delay, while Hulu + Live TV can also show ABC live in supported regions.
-
Live TV streaming services with ABC
These are highlighted frequently as ways to stream “American Idol” without cable, depending on where you live:- DIRECTV’s live TV streaming plans, which include ABC in many markets and sometimes offer free trials.
* Fubo, which also carries ABC in all its packages in many U.S. areas.
* Sling TV in select markets where ABC is part of its channel lineup.
- ABC / American Idol app (extras, not full live episodes)
- The official American Idol app lets you watch highlights, follow contestants, and vote, but it is mainly for clips and interaction rather than full, live episodes.
* ABC’s site and app offer official videos and show information, but full live access still depends on your TV provider or live‑TV subscription.
Quick HTML table view (platforms)
Below is an HTML table summarizing the main ways to watch:
| Platform / Service | Can you watch live? | Can you watch next day? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC (cable / antenna) | Yes, Monday nights on your local ABC station. | [3][7][5][1]No (live only; DVR if your provider offers it). | Traditional cable/satellite or free over-the-air antenna if ABC is available in your area. |
| Hulu (SVOD) | No, not live for Idol. | [5]Yes, full episodes available the following day. | [7][3][1][5]Good if you’re okay watching after broadcast. |
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes, where ABC is carried. | [7][1][5]Yes, through Hulu’s library. | [7][1][5]Combines live ABC with on-demand Hulu catalog. |
| DIRECTV (streaming) | Yes, includes ABC in many markets, often with a free trial. | [1][5]Replays/DVR depend on the plan. | Online live TV service (not the satellite-only product) highlighted for watching the Season 24 premiere. | [5]
| Fubo | Yes, ABC in all packages where available. | [1]Cloud DVR/replays available on many plans. | Sports-focused live TV service that also carries ABC. | [1]
| Sling TV | Yes, but only in select ABC markets. | [5][1]Replays via DVR if you add it. | Budget-friendly, but check if ABC is available where you live. | [5][1]
| American Idol app | No full live episodes. | [6][4]Highlights only. | [4][6]Use it mainly for voting, clips, and fan content. | [6][4]
A quick example scenario
Suppose you:
- Want to watch live each Monday but don’t have cable: you could sign up for a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV, Fubo, Sling (if it has ABC in your area), or Hulu + Live TV, then tune in to ABC at the scheduled time.
- Don’t care about watching live: just subscribe to regular Hulu and stream each episode the day after it airs.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.