Inside the Broadcast Network Battle Over American Idol's Revival

Things are getting heated between ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox

The broadcast networks have mostly been leaving one another alone during upfront week, instead directing their vitriol toward a common enemy—digital advertising, which both NBCUniversal and Fox blasted on Monday. But when it comes to one particular hot-button issue—ABC’s upcoming revival of American Idol, which aired on Fox for 15 seasons—the gloves have come off.

This week, as they discussed their new fall schedules with reporters, execs at ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS explained and defended their decisions to pass on, or pick up, the revival, which went off the air just one year ago, and question their rivals’ moves.

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