Australian Idol 2024 will introduce a world-first twist in the franchise set to revolutionise the audition process.
The Noughties hit singing competition returned in 2023 after a 14-year hiatus. It featured once-sacked judge Kyle Sandilands, Aussie singer-songwriter Amy Shark and international icons Harry Connick Jr. and Meghan Trainor on the panel.
In late 2023, it was revealed that just Kyle and Amy would return in 2024 with the addition of OG judge Marcia Hines.
However, a reshuffled judging panel isn’t the only shake-up Australian Idol will experience this year.
The game-changing tweak — which has been approved by franchise creator Simon Cowell‘s production company, SYCO — has revised how “Golden Tickets” are utilised.
Just 30 of these fast passes will be available in the 2024 season. It is a decrease from the 50 that were handed out during the reboot last year.
The Australian Idol ‘Golden Tickets’ are awarded differently in 2024
Instead of successful contestants transitioning from the auditions to the next round of Australian Idol, they will now have to face the judges a second time to learn who will cop a Golden Ticket.
According to Channel Seven’s Head of Scheduling Brook Hall, this change will give the audience the chance to get to know the singers earlier in the competition.
“In the two [shows] we’re against, MAFS and Survivor, you’re seeing the key characters each day. We’re trying to address that,” he told TV Tonight.
“The good thing is you get to see all of the good artists once more. I think it’s really important for character development.”
He added that Seven isn’t “bastardising the format by any means”; they’re just trying to keep it fresh.
“Fremantle and SYCO, which controls the format, have had to be cross it. We’re not trying to do a silly trick. We’re just trying to ask, ‘How can we make sure there’s more character development early on?’.”
Australian Idol 2024 kicks off on January 29 on Channel Seven and 7Plus.
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