With viewership remaining strong for the reality show - it's the show with the highest viewership on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and still performs well for M-Net (DStv 101) - it was inevitable that Idols would return for another season.
"2012's incredibly successful Idols season 8 proved that there are many unearthed gems in the country, waiting to be discovered," says Pierre Cloete, now with his new title from 2013 in the capacity of director of M-Net Channels.
Contestants will once again be able to queue for Idols auditions:
Saturday 2 February Cape Town Grandwest Entertainment World
Saturday 16 February Soweto Soweto Theatre
Saturday 2 March Durban Playhouse
Saturday 23 March Johannesburg Sandton Convention Centre
"Idols is the biggest musical platform in the country," says Yolisa Phahle, M-net's director for local general entertainment channels of which Mzansi Magic forms part. "It's about becoming a household name, being mentored by the biggest artists and the opportunity to hone skills.
People between 16 and 30 can enter for the ninth season of Idols. Those younger than 18 have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all contestants will be asked to present their ID documents during registration which will take place on the day of auditioning. Musical instruments will again be allowed in the audition room.
