Indonesian Idol

Indonesian Idol is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by RCTI Production Team and FremantleMedia Asia. The show began airing on RCTI in March 2004 and became one of the most popular shows in the history of Indonesian television. Part of the Idol franchise, it was as a spin-off from the UK show Pop Idol.

The concept of the series is to find new solo recording artists where the winner is determined by the viewers. Through telephone and SMS text and the RCTI+ app voting, viewers have chosen 12 winners to date: Joy Tobing, Mike Mohede, Ihsan Tarore, Rini Wulandari, Aris Runtuwene, Igo Pentury, Regina Ivanova, Nowela Auparay, Maria Simorangkir, Lyodra Ginting, Rimar Callista, and Salma Salsabil (listed in chronological order).

The series employs a panel of judges who critique the contestants' performances. The original four judges were AMI Awards-winning jazz musician Indra Lesmana, AMI Awards-winning pop diva Titi DJ, radio personality Meuthia Kasim and film director Dimas Djayadiningrat. The judging panel currently consists of musician, singer, entertainment producer, and impresario Anang Hermansyah, AMI Awards-winning, musician, songwriter, music producer, and television personality Maia Estianty, AMI Awards-winning pop diva Rossa, ex-frontman of Dewa 19 and pop-rock singer Ari Lasso, and runner-up of Indonesian Idol season 2 Judika. Other judges who have been a part of the show are radio and television host Indy Barends, MTV video jockey and actor Jamie Aditya, composer and conductor Erwin Gutawa, Indonesian Movie Awards-winning actress and pop singer BCL, AMI Awards-winning pop diva and also Indonesian-International superstar and performer AGNEZ MO, hits-maker producer Ahmad Dhani, frontman of Gigi Armand Maulana, and vocalist of Kotak Tantri Syalindri.

The show was originally hosted by radio DJ Amelia Natasha a.k.a. Ata and TV host Irgi Ahmad Fahrezy. In 2006, MTV Indonesia's video jockey Daniel Mananta replaced Irgi as the main host and singer Dewi Sandra replaced Ata in 2008. In 2010, Daniel Mananta was the only host for this program until 2012. In 2014, Pica Priscilla and Lolita Agustine accompanied Daniel Mananta respectively as the backstage host. In 2017, Sere Kalina with Daniel Mananta filled in as the main host. In 2020, actor, rapper, TV host and YouTuber, and also MTV Indonesia's video jockey, Boy William replaced Daniel Mananta as the main host.

The show has won several awards, including the 2005 and 2006 Panasonic Awards for the Best Music Variety Show. The show won over its popular rival singing competition show at the time, Akademi Fantasi Indosiar (known locally as AFI).

After the fifth season, the event was discontinued because of declining ratings, and resumed its sixth season in 2010. The seventh season was held in 2012 and rapidly became the most successful season in the history of Indonesian Idol. Originally planned to be replaced by UK hit The X Factor in 2013, both shows were still broadcasting on every alternating year.

In 2014, Indonesian Idol ratings decreased. And in the next year, precisely in November 2015, Indonesian Idol programs, for the time being, were discontinued and replaced by The Voice Indonesia which was considered more popular in the world. However, due to the low ratings of The Voice Indonesia, RCTI announced in June 2017, that Indonesian Idol would return after a three-year hiatus.