Still On! 'American Idol' Gets Renewed By ABC

American Idol is staying on the air.

ABC made the announcement despite a recent ratings slump and scandal surrounding Ryan Seacrest.

It will comeback under its current guise for a second season, its 17th overall.

New deals have also been linked for also includes deals for series talent Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest.

The agreement comes after the show delivered enough revenue in essential markets for the network.

Through the end of April, American Idol averaged a 2.1 rating among adults 18-49 for the Sunday shows and a 1.9 rating for the Monday telecasts with live-plus-three day lifts. Both of those pass the 1.8 rating that had been guaranteed, albeit not by much: 30-second spots went for nearly $200,000, with 75 percent of the season's inventory sold ahead of the premiere.

There was a further boost earlier in the week, when the first live telecast gained its highest score since the premiere.

While industry claimed that both ABC and Disney had invested too much money with the show to axe it after just one season.

American Idol continues on Sundays, airing live on both coasts, through Monday, May 21, at the conclusion of a two-night finale.

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