TMC
01-22-2026, 08:34 PM
https://deadline.com/2026/01/abc-american-idol-live-social-voting-interview-1236692118/
While Idol will continue with text and phone voting, social media voting could become part of the show within three years, showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick tells Deadline. She adds that she has wanted to do social media voting for the last five years, something that no other major entertainment show has done. “We have to meet the audience where they are,” she says. “Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing. We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.” Michaels Wolflick adds: “If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting. It could tip the scale. Trends are always different,” she added.
While Idol will continue with text and phone voting, social media voting could become part of the show within three years, showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick tells Deadline. She adds that she has wanted to do social media voting for the last five years, something that no other major entertainment show has done. “We have to meet the audience where they are,” she says. “Back in 2002 when the show began, texting was the new hot thing. We also have to meet the technology where it is, as well. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for their favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.” Michaels Wolflick adds: “If we can get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in a little bit more in the easiest way possible, that’s very exciting. It could tip the scale. Trends are always different,” she added.