It looks like American Idol's 13-year run is ending its course: The long running singing competition series will air its final season in January 2016. It will be the show's 15th season.

American Idol contestants Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino, La Toya London and Diana DeGarmo at the American Idol Season Three Grand Finale in May 2004. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Although ratings for Idol have steadily fallen throughout the last few seasons, for a majority of its time on television, the show was an unstoppable juggernaut. Idol has unearthed and introduced many singers to the mainstream scene, including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson (the show's first winner), Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, David Cook, Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, Phillip Phillips and more.

The original judges—Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell—stayed onboard for eight seasons. After that, Idol struggled to find the "right" dynamic for the judging panel, cycling through Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. Idol's current judging panel, which consists of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr., will be on board for the final season.

Kelly Clarkson faces the judges August 27, 2002 (Photo by Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/FOX).

According to Fox Networks Group co-chief Gary Newman, the cancellation was "not an easy decision," but "we all felt collectively it was time to bring American Idol to an end." Newman promises that Idol's final season will be a "true season-long celebration" with "surprises we can have for fans."