NEW HOST JILLIAN REYNOLDS AND NEW CO-HOST ACE YOUNG GET THE FIRST EXCLUSIVE SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW EACH WEEK!

LOS ANGELES – Fox Reality Channel   has greenlit the fourth season of its original series AMERICAN IDOL EXTRA from “American Idol” producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, giving viewers the first in-depth interview each week with the Top 10 Idol finalists, moments after their emotional elimination. Only Fox Reality Channel gets up close and personal directly from the Idol stage to bring viewers the reality moments they can’t get anywhere else.  New host Jillian Reynolds (“FOX NFL Sunday”, “Good Day LA”) joins the series, along with new co-host and former Idol finalist Ace Young (Season 5). Fox Reality Channel’s “American Idol Extra” airs every Thursday night, premiering March 26th at 7 & 10p, with a late night sneak peek every Wednesday at 10p & 1am.

Viewers can count on bold weekly interviews with Jillian and a fresh new perspective from Ace, who will use his expertise and empathy to get the inside scoop. In addition, a familiar face, former Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis (Season 4), returns as a special field correspondent.
 
“We’re delighted to have Jillian Reynolds and Ace Young join us as the host and co-host for Season 4 of ‘American Idol Extra,’” said Bob Boden, Senior Vice President of Programming, Production & Development at Fox Reality Channel. “‘American Idol’ has become a cornerstone of American pop-culture and we are proud to be the exclusive cable and satellite network to broadcast straight from the Idol stage.”
 
Plus, “American Idol Extra” goes backstage to experience the first-hand excitement and tension, showing viewers what goes into making “American Idol.” Judges, producers, vocal coaches and stylists give firsthand accounts of what it takes to get America’s most popular TV show on-air each week.

Fox Reality Channel is the ONLY cable network giving viewers the whole Idol story. No other show brings viewers closer to reality and closer to “American Idol.”  “American Idol Extra” will kick off its fourth season with up-close and personal coverage on Thursday, March 26, 2009, and can be seen only on Fox Reality Channel. The show will air every Thursday at 7 & 10p ET/PT, with encore performances all weekend leading up to the finale.

“American Idol Extra” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment. Tracy Verna is executive producer.  
 
AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.

ABOUT FOX REALITY CHANNEL
Fox Reality Channel launched in May 2005, to become the premier destination for lovers of unscripted programming.  Fox Reality Channel is the only all-reality, all-the-time cable and satellite network featuring compelling original programming, never-before-seen U.S. premieres of international reality hits, and network favorites.  Fox Reality Channel is available in nearly 50 million homes and can be accessed via broadband, mobile devices and other digital platforms such as iTunes® (excluding American Idol Extra).  For more information on Fox Reality Channel programs and schedules, please visit foxreality.com .
 
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia.  Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative television programs for network, cable and syndicated platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon “American Idol" (FOX), “American Idol Rewind” (syndicated), “American Idol Extra” (Fox Reality), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Celebrity Family Feud” (NBC), “The Osbournes: Reloaded” (FOX), “Hole In The Wall” (FOX), “Farmer Wants A Wife” (The CW), “The Phone” (MTV), “Rock The Cradle” (MTV), “Can You Duet” (CMT), “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency” (Oxygen), “Match Game” (TBS), “Family Feud” (syndicated), “Million Dollar Password” (CBS), and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS).
 
ABOUT 19 ENTERTAINMENT LTD
Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment Ltd. is recognized as a lead creator, provider and promoter of globally successful entertainment and music brands of today. The company has attracted a unique team of exceptionally creative executives, who work together to integrate and leverage activity across television, sports, film, touring, merchandising, music publishing, recording and artist management. 19 Founder/CEO Simon Fuller has developed and managed some of the biggest entertainment properties of our time, with credits that include the creation of TV phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, and the HBO series Little Britain USA. 19’s unique talent includes legendary musical icon Annie Lennox, country music sensation Carrie Underwood, the pop group sensation Spice Girls, and IDOL alumni Chris Daughtry and David Cook, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and soccer icon David Beckham.

(Photo courtesy Fox Reality)