"American Idol" Cancels Summer Tour

[JamesG]

"American Idol" Cancels Summer Tour
3/31/16
by Michele Amabile Angermiller, Billboard


"American Idol" has officially pulled the plug on its summer tour.

The tour has been a staple of post-season "Idol" since the program first launched in 2002 and saw strong attendance numbers for the better part of a decade, filling medium-sized theaters and arenas at the height of the series. But as the Fox show began to lose ratings steam, so did the summer trek, and what once included a complete group of finalists was cut in half during season 14.

News of the tour's demise was first revealed Thursday by season 15 sixth-place finisher Tristan McIntosh, who told a fan on Twitter that the top five finalists would not be hitting the road in 2016.





CORE Media, the parent company of 19 Entertainment which manages the Idols' careers and recording, later confirmed the news.

"The American Idol Live Tour has historically been an integral part of celebrating the seasons' contestants and also garnering excitement for summer auditions for the upcoming season," CORE Media said in a statement.

"This year's Idol finale celebrates the past 15 seasons, the amazingly talented participants, and the millions of fans who’ve helped make American Idol the legendary program and brand it is today. It will be so memorable and meaningful and we've chosen to end it on that note."




The "American Idol" finale is set to take place next week, with the 15th and final winner to be announced during a three-night extravaganza on April 5, 6 and 7.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...er-tour-879811