NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Fox is pulling the plug on American Idol after 15 seasons.
The music reality show that was once the most popular on U.S. television will return in January, but Fox announced on Monday that it will be a farewell season for the series. Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. will return as the judges for the final season as will host Ryan Seacrest.
The announcement comes two days before the 14th season finale of American Idol. The final two shows of the season, where the finalists perform and then a winner is announced, have traditionally been its best rated shows of the season for Idol. News of the cancellation could give a final boost to this week’s ratings.
The show was once a ratings juggernaut and huge profit driver for Fox, as it was a ratings leader starting in 2004 through 2011. But its ratings have fallen since then.
