"American Idol" announces judging panel

Fox says it's bringing back the same trio of "American Idol" judges for the show's 14th season.

The network announced Monday that Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. will be judging singers again in 2015, and Ryan Seacrest will remain the host.

This year's "American Idol" included the show's lowest-rated finale ever, part of a continuing ratings slide for the once-dominant TV series. Fox has shaken up the judges' panel in past years to try to boost viewership but is deciding to stay the course this time.

The network is taking the show's downfall into account in scheduling, saying it will air fewer hours next season, and in many weeks there will be just one episode instead of two.

"American Idol" auditions are coming up in Uniondale, N.Y.; Nashville, Tenn.; New Orleans; and San Francisco.

Caleb Johnson won the most recent season of "Idol." Through the years, the series has helped launch the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, James Durbin, Jennifer Hudson and Phillip Phillips, among others.