Fox Announces Winter Premiere Dates for American Idol, Empire

Get out your calendars! Fox has announced winter premiere dates for both American Idol and its newest drama Empire.

The search for America's next singing superstar (that doesn't take place on The Voice) will kick off on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 8/7c, when returning judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr. join host Ryan Seacrest for the audition-centric first night of a two-night, three-hour Idol premiere event.

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Following American Idol at 9/8c will be the series premiere of Lee Daniel's hip-hop drama Empire. Set within the world of music, glamour, danger and power, the series stars Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard and Person of Interest alum Taraji P. Henson.

On Thursday, Jan. 8, American Idol will finish out its three-hour Season 14 debut with two more hours of auditions starting at 8/7c. In its first week, the show will feature contestants from Kansas City, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York and San Francisco.  

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