<P> The sixteenth season of American Idol premiered on March 11 , 2018 , on the ABC television network . It is the show 's first season to air on ABC . Ryan Seacrest continued his role as the show 's host , while Katy Perry , Luke Bryan , and Lionel Richie joined as judges . Maddie Poppe from Clarksville , Iowa won the season on May 21 , 2018 , while Caleb Lee Hutchinson was runner - up . In addition to being the first Iowan to win the competition , Poppe was the first female winner since Candice Glover in season twelve , the first female to beat a male in the finale since Jordin Sparks in season six and the first white female to win since Carrie Underwood in season four . </P>
when does season 16 of american idol end
May 21 , 2018