Trish Kinane, American Idol showrunner and president of entertainment programming at the production and distribution company Fremantle, will step down from both roles this year.
Fremantle made the announcement on Thursday (May 20), indicating that Kinane will step down at the end of the current season of American Idol. She’ll continue with the series as an executive producer and consultant, the company said.
“I am happy to have been instrumental in the continued success of America’s Got Talent and to have refreshed the American Idol format, shepherding it through its last years on Fox to its new home, and its recent commission for a fifth season, on ABC,” Kinane said in a release on Thursday.
“I am leaving the show in good hands with an incredible team, and I am excited to be continuing as executive producer, whilst able to pursue some personal adventures.”
Megan Michaels Wolflick, who has worked on American Idol in various roles for more than a decade, will step up into the position of showrunner next season.
Kinane has also served as EP for The X Factor. Previously, she was president of worldwide entertainment for Fremantle in the U.K., and has overseen the global roll-out of Fremantle’s developed and acquired non-scripted formats.