Hulu
Airs American Idol in the US (new episodes air on Mondays)
We’re approaching the crucial final episodes of American Idol 2023, as judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and soul legend Lionel Richie look to reveal the next singing star.
From Jennifer Hudson to Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, the show he’s hosting CNET alum Ryan Seacrestlaunched a string of big-name careers, and Season 21 has already revealed a number of hopefuls with successful potential.
New Yorker Wee Annie’s shrill voice contrasts with a strong singing range as seen through her tremendous rendition of Adele’s Bond Skyfall theme, while Hawaiian teen Iam Tongi and his smooth, buttery delivery remain a current favorite for those betting on an overall winner.
With the show coming to a close in the US on May 21, make sure you don’t miss a moment of the closing stages of the competition by following our guide to watching American Idol 2023 from anywhere in the world.
From left, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Ryan Seacrest and Luke Bryan search for the next singing star for American Idol season 21.
When is American Idol 2023 airing?
American Idol season 21 premiered in the United States on February 19th. New episodes arriving every Sunday at 8pm EST/PT on ABC, with each episode made available for streaming the next day after it airs on Hulu.
How to watch American Idol 2023 from anywhere on a VPN
So what if you are traveling outside your country and want to enjoy the show or want an extra layer of it broadcast privacy? There’s an option that doesn’t require searching the Internet for a sketchy website: you can use a VPNor a virtual private network.
With a VPN, you can virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to access the show. If you find yourself unable to watch locally, a VPN can come in handy. Plus, it’s a great idea when you’re traveling and find yourself connected to Wi-Fi and want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.
Most VPNs, eg CNET Editors’ Choice ExpressVPNMake it easy to physically change your location. Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other greats VPN deals.
ExpressVPN is our current top VPN pick for people who want a reliable and secure VPN, and it works on a wide variety of devices. It’s usually $13 per month. But you can save 49% plus get three months of access for free—the equivalent of $6.67 per month—if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Watch in the United States
There are several live TV streaming services available in the US that stream ABC live, allowing you to watch American Idol as soon as it airs on Sundays, YouTube TV being our favourite. It costs $65 per month. Plug in your zip code on its welcome page to see what local networks are available in your area.
Read our YouTube TV review.
ABC will air American Idol in the United States for the sixth year in a row. This also means that episodes will be available to stream on Hulu every Monday, one day after they air on ABC.
New Hulu subscribers can take advantage of a 30-day Hulu free trial on its plan with or without ads. After the trial period ends, the service will set you back $8 per month. There’s also the option to bundle Disney Plus with Hulu which kicked in from $10 per month.
Watch in Canada
The good news for Canadian reality TV fans is that Citytv is airing new episodes of American Idol 2023 at the same time they come out in the US — at 8pm EST/PT every Sunday.
If you miss an episode when it comes out live, you can stream each episode for free on Citytv’s online platform the day after it airs, but you’ll need to enter your TV provider details.
Can I watch American Idol season 21 in the UK?
There is currently no confirmed broadcaster for this final season of the TV talent show in the UK, but we suspect that much like season 20, this new show will eventually find its way to Netflix.
Tips on Streaming American Idol 2023 with a VPN
- With four variables in play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider, and VPN — experience and success can vary.
- If you don’t see your desired location as ExpressVPN’s default, try using the “Search for a city or country” option.
- If you’re having trouble watching after turning on your VPN and setting it to the correct viewing region, there are a couple of things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address registered to your account. Second, some smart TVs — such as Roku — don’t have VPN apps that you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install a VPN on your router or mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
- All of the VPN service providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing a VPN on your router. In some cases with Smart TV services, after installing a network application, you will be prompted to verify a digital code or click on a link sent to your email address on file with your Smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, as both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
- And remember, browsers can often give up a site despite using a VPN, so make sure you use the privacy browser first to log into your services. We usually recommend brave.