‘American Idol’ results show cut to 30 minutes

Starting in January, there will be 30 fewer minutes on the Fox schedule dedicated to “American Idol.” The long-running singing competition series is cutting its results show to a half-hour, down from the hour-long results shows that have aired since the show debuted on Fox in 2002.

The show’s 13th season will debut on Jan. 15 and 16 with a two-night, four-hour kick-off. But in subsequent weeks, the results show will only run 30 minutes, followed by the new Fox comedy series “Surviving Jack.”

The premiere date for “Surviving Jack” hasn’t been announced yet, but it is expected to run for eight weeks on Thursday nights, following the results show.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ judges through the years

The new judges panel for “Idol” this year includes the debut of Harry Connick Jr., the return of Jennifer Lopez and the second year of Keith Urban. Former judge Randy Jackson will also be back as an in-house mentor.

While “Idol” was once the biggest show on TV, it has suffered steep ratings declines in recent years, with the last two seasons seeing double-digit drops in the number of total viewers. The aging format and proliferation of other singing competition shows, including NBC’s “The Voice,” has played a part in the show’s decline.

Other winter premiere dates for Fox include the second season of “The Following” on Jan. 20, the two-night premiere of the legal drama “Rake” on Jan. 19 and 23, and the animated comedies “Lucas Bros. Moving Co.” and “Golan the Insatiable” on Jan. 11.

The army comedy “Enlisted,” which was pushed from its previously planned fall debut to January, will finally air on Jan. 10.

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