'American Idol' Season 24 has premiered, and new voices have been winning the fans over. However, if you want to know how to watch the show for free, here's everything you need to know.
American Idol is one of the longest-running reality singing TV shows. The show created by Simon Fuller first aired in June 2002. The show recently returned with Season 24, and fans have been curious whether there is a way to watch their favourite show for free.
The auditions for the much-loved singing show, American Idol Season 24, continue in a new episode airing on Monday, February 2, 2026 (ET). The new episode aired at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. However, fans are now curious whether there's a way for those without cable to watch the show for free.
Fans looking to watch the show without a paid cable subscription can watch American Idol Season 24 on FuboTV or DIRECTV, both of which offer a free trial to new users. Sling is another option for streaming the show, and promotional offers are available. Regarding DIRECTV, the streaming platform offers a vast array of content, including the best of live and on-demand streaming, with over 75 live TV channels to get started. The streaming service starts at USD 89.99 per month, with a 5-day free trial. First-time users can also get a USD 40 discount on their first month of the service.
However, if you're not looking to spend almost USD 90, the other available option is FuboTV, which costs USD 55.99. It also offers a five-day free trial, and new users can get USD 30 off their first month. For the unversed, FuboTV is an over-the-top internet live TV streaming service. It offers more than 100 channels, including sports, news, entertainment and local channels. One plus of FugoTV is that it offers DVR storage and is designed for people who want to cut the cord without missing their favourite TV shows.
Another service that lets you watch American Idol is Sling TV. The monthly recharge for this starts at USD 45.99. While it doesn't offer a free trial, first-time users can get USD 30 off their first month. Sling TV is the first app-based TV service, allowing users to stream live television and on-demand content over the internet. With Sling TV, users can choose the TV package that's right for them, including Channel Add-ons, Premium Add-ons, DVR Plus, and more.
American Idol Season 24 marks the return of Ryan Seacrest as host, and a stellar judging panel that includes Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie will return for their second year as a trio. According to reports, in the new episode, "auditions continue with hopefuls stepping into the spotlight and delivering unforgettable performances."
American Idol Season 24 pays tribute to Robin Kaye, the show's former music supervisor. She worked with the American Idol team for nearly 300 episodes. Unfortunately, she and her husband passed away in 2025. The music supervisor was tragically murdered alongside husband, Thomas Deluca, in the summer of 2025 at their Los Angeles home. For the unversed, it was a man named Raymond Boodarian who was eventually charged with their murders and was committed to a state hospital in December 2025.
What are your thoughts on American Idol Season 24? Let us know.
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