<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Nigel Lythgoe has reportedly revealed that the new season of American Idol will not feature a Top 24 round.  In an interview with TV Guide, the executive producer said that the show has dropped the traditional stage that sees the Top 24 become the Top 12, but declined to explain the specifics of what will happen. He also told the website that this season&amp;#039;s contestants will face a string of new challenges which include making a music video and marketing themselves. Meanwhile, each week will focus on a musical decade rather than artist or theme, as has happened in previous years. The Fox competition will make a revamped return next year with a judging panel consisting of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. The audition age limit was also dropped to 15 years old from the previous minimum requirement of 16. Lopez recently teased that the group had found &amp;quot;15-20 real superstars&amp;quot; during auditions for season ten, while Jackson has also praised the level of talent among the hopefuls. American Idol returns January 12 on Fox. &amp;gt; Video: An all-star &amp;#039;American Idol&amp;#039; promo! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/american-idol/news/a288610/american-idol-drops-top-24-round/>