American Idol company to bring Elvis back to life

American Idol company to bring Elvis back to life


Owners of American Idol to branch out after ratings drop, plan to revamp Graceland and develop Elvis hologram tour


June 1, 2012

The company that owns the rights to American Idol is restructuring in light of the show's recent drop in ratings.

The New York Times reports, via Rolling Stone, that CKx, soon to be Core Media Group, is planning a revamp of Idol and developing projects outside of the show, including one involving Elvis Presley and his Memphis home, Graceland.

The plans include an upgrade of the Graceland museum and a potential drama series based on the late King of Rock and Roll's early life. There's also talk of a duets album that would pair Presley with contemporary artists, as has been done with artists like Frank Sinatra. The album may be accompanied by a tour with the artists performing with Elvis, who would appear as a hologram.

As Idol has seen a 30% ratings drop in its 11th season this year, thanks largely to competition from show's like The Voice and The X Factor, the company is making some changes to the program.

'Idol is still the gold standard,' Core's new president Marc Graboff told the Times. 'It's very viable, but it definitely needs to be refreshed and it will be.'

The company will re-team with original Idol creator Simon Fuller to help make the changes, which will likely include an overhaul of Idol's voting system and a change of the judging panel (which currently features Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson).

How many times has this company said they are going to revamp the Graceland area etc but dont follow through. Will wait and see, but think it will be a long time yet.

Isnt the guy that owns Idol the one that owns so many % of the Presley name n stuff? You would think it would be in his best interest to do these things. Fingers crossed it comes off this time