'American Idol' canceled news: Season 15 will be music show's last

The news that "American Idol" fans around the world have been dreading for the past years have arrived: the popular American reality singing competition's next season will be its last.

According to a report by The New York Times, Fox Channel executives announced this week that it will shut down "American Idol" after its 15th season next year.

"It was not an easy decision… American Idol has been such a vital part of Fox for its run," Gary Newman, Fox Television Group co-chief executive, was quoted as saying during a conference call with reporters.

A separate article on TVLine.com said the show's current judges—country superstar Keith Urban, dance superstar Jennifer Lopez, and musician Harry Connick Jr., will be returning for the final season of "American Idol."

"American Idol" fans, however, may be in for some surprises and comebacks for the final season. Fox chairmen and chief executive officers Gary Newman and Dana Walden said that the last season will be "celebratory."

"It is going to be a true, season-long celebration," Newman and Walden told reporters in a separate conference call, as quoted by People.com.

Walden even said that he would gladly welcome back to the show the original judges of "American Idol"— Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

"American Idol" started in 2002, and became drew huge ratings for eight years, attracting as much as 30 million viewers per episode. However, the show's ratings have been steadily declining during the past years.

The reality singing show became the launchpad for now-popular singers like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert.