“IDOL ACROSS AMERICA” MOBILE EXPERIENCE LAUNCHES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, IN LOS ANGELES

“THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL” CONTEST TO SEND ONE LUCKY WINNER

TO HOLLYWOOD TO APPEAR ON STAGE WITH RYAN SEACREST

Nationwide Tour to Visit 16 Markets

Follow the Tour Online at americanidol.com

Hit Series Returns for 10th Season

Wednesday, January 19 and Thursday, January 20

In celebration of its much-anticipated 10th season, AMERICAN IDOL will launch IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a biodiesel-fueled mobile experience tour traveling to 16 cities across the U.S. over a four-week period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19.

During the mobile tour, visitors who are U.S. residents 15 years of age or older will have the opportunity to record their own take on the “This is AMERICAN IDOL…” introduction made famous by Ryan Seacrest and be entered into a nationwide contest for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to deliver the famous line on the IDOL stage alongside Ryan! For eligibility, complete rules and more information, check out americanidol.com.

As part of the tour, fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Be Your Own Idol” singing experience and pose for photos – which they can pick up online and then upload to their favorite social-networking sites – at the IDOL judges’ table alongside life-size standees of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind AMERICAN IDOL memorabilia – including framed platinum records, Ryan Seacrest’s suit, Carrie Underwood’s finale dress and David Cook’s guitar – and photos, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching the special “Welcome Home” documentary that showcases all nine past IDOL winners.

The 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL kicks off with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

IDOL ACROSS AMERICA launches at the following locations:

City Date Location

Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, Jan. 19 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Third Street Promenade / Santa Monica

5:00-9:00 PM

LA Live / Downtown Los Angeles

Additional IDOL ACROSS AMERICA stops are as follows:

City Date

San Diego, CA Wednesday, Jan. 26

Phoenix, AZ Friday, Jan. 28

Houston, TX Wednesday, Feb. 2

Dallas, TX Saturday, Feb. 5

Dallas, TX (Super Bowl XLV) Sunday, Feb. 6

New Orleans, LA Tuesday, Feb. 8

Birmingham, AL Thursday, Feb. 10

Chicago, IL Sunday, Feb. 13

Nashville, TN Tuesday, Feb. 15

Atlanta, GA Thursday, Feb. 17

Charlotte, NC Friday, Feb. 18

Washington, D.C. Sunday, Feb. 20

Baltimore, MD Tuesday, Feb. 22

Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, Feb. 23

New York, NY Thursday, Feb. 24

New York, NY Friday, Feb. 25

Boston, MA Saturday, Feb. 26

Visit americanidol.com to follow IDOL ACROSS AMERICA as it makes its way around the country and also for exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment , a division of CKX, Inc.; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.