American Idol season 23 is set to premiere on March 9, 2025, at 8 PM ET (5 PM PT) on the ABC television network. Once again, Ryan Seacrest will take the stage as the host of this iconic competition, guiding viewers through another thrilling season. Fans will also welcome back judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. This season introduces a fresh perspective with Carrie Underwood joining the panel of judges, replacing Katy Perry.
As one of the most popular reality TV shows, American Idol is bound to attract attention from unauthorized streaming platforms. However, these streams often suffer from poor video quality and interruptions (or even takedowns) due to copyright violations. Missing an important moment of the show due to a stream going offline? That’s the last thing you want!
The good news is that there are plenty of official streaming options for watching American Idol season 23. Stick with these legitimate platforms to enjoy the show in high quality without interruptions.
Don’t want to miss out on the excitement? We’ll explain how you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to watch American Idol season 23 online, even if you’re traveling abroad.
How to watch American Idol season 23 online with a VPN
In case you’re wondering, a VPN allows you to change your IP address, making it appear as if you’re browsing from another location. One advantage of this is that you can then access geo-blocked content such as American Idol season 23.
Here’s how to watch American Idol (2025) online from anywhere:
- Sign up with a reputable VPN provider. We recommend NordVPN. However, Surfshark and ExpressVPN are two great alternatives worth considering.
- Download and install the appropriate VPN app or browser extension for your device (the device on which you plan to watch American Idol season 23).
- Sign in to the VPN app and connect to a server in the US. You’ll then be assigned a US IP address, allowing you to unblock ABC from anywhere in the world.
- Go to ABC and sign in with your TV provider. If you don’t have cable TV, you can sign up for a TV streaming service that offers ABC (more on these later).
- Select the ABC live stream on ABC or via your preferred streaming service. The content should be unblocked. If not, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.
American Idol will air live on ABC. We recommend you test your VPN with ABC in advance to avoid disappointment. That way, you’ll still have time to contact your VPN’s customer support for further assistance if you have any trouble.
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How to watch American Idol season 23 on US TV
You can watch the 23rd season of American Idol on ABC. If you already have a US cable TV subscription, all you need to do is sign in with your TV provider. This requires you to enter your cable TV login details (username or email address and password). You can then livestream American Idol at no extra cost. n.
Fortunately, you can also watch American Idol on ABC cable-free by signing up for one of the following streaming services: FuboTV ($79.99 USD/month), Hulu with Live TV ($75.99/month), or YouTube TV ($72.99/month). Note that each episode will also be available on Hulu the day after they air live on ABC.
ABC and all the streaming services mentioned above are region-locked and only available in the US. Luckily, however, you can watch it abroad by connecting to a VPN’s US server. This will get you a US IP address, allowing you to bypass regional blocking.
NordVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. As such, you can try it out with ABC and request a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Who are the judges for season 23?
The American Idol Season 23 judging panel includes long-time favorites Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, alongside a fresh face on the panel: Carrie Underwood! Fans of the show will recognize Carrie as the winner of Season 4, and her addition makes history as she is the first former contestant to return as a judge. Her journey from a small-town singer to an international superstar is bound to inspire contestants, and her unique perspective as someone who has walked in their shoes will undoubtedly add an exciting dynamic to the show.
With her extensive experience in the music industry, Carrie Underwood is expected to bring a blend of artist mentorship, relatable advice, and constructive feedback to help guide the next generation of Idol hopefuls.
What can we expect from season 23?
Season 23 promises to deliver everything fans have come to love about American Idol: raw talent, emotional backstories, and unforgettable performances. The stakes are as high as ever, with contestants competing for the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood and, ultimately, for the title of American Idol.
The presence of Carrie Underwood on the judging panel adds an extra layer of excitement, as contestants will have the rare opportunity to receive feedback from someone who has experienced and won the competition herself. Expect heartfelt moments, surprising twists, and plenty of standout performances as the contestants strive to make their mark.With a fresh judging panel, incredible talent, and the same heartwarming journey that has made the show such an iconic part of reality TV, American Idol Season 23 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet!
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