The final season, which kicks off in Jan. 2016 with a planned shorter run of episodes, though no exact amount has been announced as of now, will include judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., who have served as judges the last two seasons, along with the show's host Ryan Seacrest.

American Idol premiered in 2002, and at its peak in 2006, drew more than 36 million viewers for its season finale. But, since then its viewership has slowly, but surely declined. According to Entertainment Weekly, this year the show is delivering a series-low with only 11.6 million viewers. Read more - here.

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