FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY, 19 ENTERTAINMENT AND FREMANTLEMEDIA ANNOUNCE SPONSORS FOR 10TH SEASON OF “AMERICAN IDOL”

Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T Return as Official Sponsors

Two-Night Season Premiere Begins Tonight on FOX

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX); 19 Entertainment Ltd., a division of CKX, Inc.; and FremantleMedia North America today announced that Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola and AT&T will return as official sponsors for the 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL.

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest with judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, television’s No. 1 show kicks off its milestone 10th season with a two-night premiere event beginning tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and continuing tomorrow night, Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT), on FOX.

Season 10 of AMERICAN IDOL marks the return of Ford as the official automotive sponsor of the show. Ford has been a leading partner of AMERICAN IDOL since the show’s debut in 2002, and will continue to have a strong presence throughout the upcoming season. Ford vehicles and the AMERICAN IDOL finalists will again be featured each week in exclusive Ford music videos. This content, along with candid “making of” segments featuring the contestants, will also be available on www.americanidol.com. In addition, Ford will launch a truly unique consumer promotion that will offer fans an exclusive chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime AMERICAN IDOL experience. More details will be announced shortly.

AMERICAN IDOL will serve as a key platform to integrate a variety of Ford vehicles, including the all-new 2012 Ford Focus. Ford will also award the AMERICAN IDOL winner, as well as the runner-up, a brand-new Ford vehicle.

For the special 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL, Coca-Cola is offering programs that bring families together to enjoy moments of happiness and fun. AMERICAN IDOL is the kickoff platform for the new Coca-Cola Family Night program, which presents different themes and activities each week of January and February that encourage families to “play together.” The popular “Coca-Cola Judges Cup Design” program is back. Fans can develop their own special cup graphics at www.mycokerewards.com for a chance to have their cup design appear in the show and win a trip to attend an AMERICAN IDOL broadcast. Also online at My Coke Rewards, Coca-Cola will share exclusive behind-the-scenes content, providing fans an inside look at the contestant experience. In addition, a new online program that will let fans help create lyrics for a new song that will debut on an upcoming broadcast will launch later this season. Other activities designed to enhance the AMERICAN IDOL experience will be featured in a variety of retail outlets across the country.

AT&T returns for another exciting season, along with handset partner Motorola, as the official wireless sponsor of AMERICAN IDOL. Once again, AT&T is connecting wireless customers to their favorite IDOL moments directly from their mobile phones, including Vote Number Reminder, Idol Text Chat, Idol Trivia and of course unlimited text-voting during the voting window after each show (standard text-messaging rates apply).

Additionally, AT&T is hosting its biggest IDOL sweepstakes ever: a chance at up to $10 Million.* Even if you don’t win the grand prize, there are lots of fun prizes awarded throughout the season, including the MOTOROLA BRAVO. There are several ways to enter, such as texting “WIN” to “4004,” or by scanning a picture of an AT&T barcode with your mobile phone. To get the AT&T Code Scanner text “SCAN” to “72267.” Visit www.americanidol.com/mobile for more chances to win and to learn more about the sweepstakes and other AT&T IDOL elements this season.

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

*NO PURCHASE/PAYMENT OR TEXT MSG NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico who are 18 years or older at time of entry. Starts January 17, 2011, at 12:00:01 am Eastern Time (ET) and ends on May 13, 2011 at 11:59:59 pm ET. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, alternate method of entry and prize descriptions (including annuity value), visit www.attidolsweepstakes.com. Void where prohibited. Message and data charges may apply.

Source: FOX Press Release