Headlines: IHeart Files Bankruptcy, Amazon Prime to Stream American Idol in UK

Amazon Prime Takes ‘American Idol’ in U.K. in Landmark Deal – Amazon Prime Video has snatched up the relaunched version of American Idol for the U.K. and will air episodes of the music competition show two days after they go out in the U.S. “To see one of the biggest entertainment shows on a streaming service is a not only a first, but testament to the appetite for American Idol and will be a whole new way to reach fans of the series,” said Jamie Lynn, head of sales and distribution, EMEA for FremantleMedia International, which handles world sales for Idol. “American Idol has launched to fantastic ratings on ABC in the US and we are excited that Amazon Prime Video will become the exclusive home of the new series in the UK with this unique deal.” – Read more at Billboard.com

Can ‘American Idol’ still find a viable recording artist? The show’s producers think so – When “American Idol” kicked off its reboot on ABC this week, viewers saw that much hadn’t changed with the groundbreaking singing competition — and that’s by design. “‘Idol’s’ a really simple format. It’s talented kids singing in front of judges. Viewers vote for them and make them a star,” said showrunner and executive producer Trish Kinane. “We looked at gimmicks [or] adding game play. But ‘American Idol’ is what it is. That’s not to say that we haven’t refreshed it.” – Read more at LA Times

iHeartMedia Files for Bankruptcy – iHeartMedia, the debt-burdened radio conglomerate, bowed to the inevitable late on Wednesday (March 14) and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In a statement, the company said it had reached an agreement with the holders of more than $10 billion of its debt. “The agreement we announced today is a significant accomplishment, as it allows us to definitively address the more than $20 billion in debt that has burdened our capital structure,” CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement. “Achieving a capital structure that finally matches our impressive operating business will further enhance iHeartMedia’s position as America’s #1 audio company.” – Read more at Variety

Dubbed the Ukrainian rapper, Marengo man reflects on ‘American Idol’ experience – “That was awesome to sing with those big stars together,” Gontar said. “That’s a little achievement, you know. Now I can tell people, ‘Hey Katy Perry and Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, they all sang with me.’ That’s cool. They usually don’t sing along with people.” An MRI technologist by day, Gontar said he’s always enjoyed performing at area open mic events and has been part of a band in the past. Although he’s sort of been dubbed the Ukrainian rapper, he said he’s more of a rocker and writes some of his own music. – Read more at NWHerald

American Idol Alum Scotty McCreery Says Former Judge Jennifer Lopez Is ‘So Normal But So Cool’ – The country singer, who won the tenth season of the reality television singing competition series, sat down with PEOPLE Now to discuss his latest projects and opened up about making a lasting impression on the “very sweet” superstar back in her judging days. “The last time we were out in L.A., it was a bunch of us old idols and alum, and we were hanging out and waiting on Jennifer to film something,” he says. “She walked in the room — I was on the opposite side — and she locked eyes and said ‘Oh hey, baby!’ And she came over and gave me a hug and we just hung out for a little bit.” – Read more at People

Daughtry brings cadre of hits to Palace Theatre – “It’s everybody’s goal to impress the judges, but looking back, I was so nervous, so stiff and scared out of my mind,” he says on a phone call from Tampa, Fla., where the band was rehearsing for the new tour. “If anything, he made me work harder.” While he finds it difficult to look back at his early auditions, the singer-songwriter says “being on the road made me more comfortable performing in my skin.” Daughtry followers will have to wait a while to hear the band’s new music in the yet-untitled album, but they’ll at least get a sampling at the concerts. “We’ll be playing from all five albums, including our personal favorites,” the band leader says. “We’re in the post-production phase of the album, so hopefully it will be out in May or so, sometime in the spring.” – Read more at Triblive

Stone Temple Pilots’ Jeff Gutt Disliked Singing Competition Shows – “I had never been a big fan of those shows because people stand in line for a day and they get a shot, whereas I’m doing it for 25 years at that point,” Gutt said. “But I’m like, ‘What other way to go do it?’ Just be like, ‘Hey, I’m a singer. This is what we look like.'” Gutt said he had taken a few years away from music, so he figured he’d give himself one last try and take the biggest swing possible for an unknown singer. “The grand prize was a $5 million contract, so I was like, ‘Well, of course I’m gonna do that,'” he laughed. While he didn’t win the grand prize, Gutt’s time on the show garnered him a large fanbase and gave him the ability to record under his own name and tour. – Read more at iHeartRadio

Jeff Gutt lands plush gig as Stone Temple Pilots singer – Most were classics from the band’s catalog, modern rock staples like “Plush” and “Interstate Love Song” that helped STP become one of the most successful rock outfits of the 1990s. But one — “Piece of Pie,” an album cut from the band’s 1992 debut effort “Core” — was giving Gutt a hard time. “It was the only one I didn’t have completely memorized,” says Gutt, on the phone last week from Los Angeles. “So when I walked in, they were like, ‘Which one do you want to start with?’ And I said ‘Piece of Pie.’ They were like, ‘Really? You want to start with that one?’ I was probably literally the only person who said that, because their reaction was like, ‘Whoa!’ But the real reason was I just didn’t know the lyrics that well, and I wanted to get through it first.” – Read more at Detroit News

Ryan Seacrest was accused of sexual misconduct. Hollywood shrugged. – Now, two weeks after the Oscars, Seacrest is still one of the busiest people in Hollywood. He’s still producing and still has two regular hosting gigs in Live With Kelly and Ryan — with his co-star Kelly Ripa being one of his most vocal and fervent supporters — and ABC’s American Idol reboot, which premiered March 11. Since that awkward first couple of hours on the Oscars red carpet, he hasn’t so much as missed a beat. At this point, Hardy’s allegations have barely made a dent on the slick veneer of Seacrest’s public image. And while not everyone accused of sexual harassment and abuse since the Harvey Weinstein allegations broke has faced tangible consequences — remember, not even Weinstein has been formally charged with any crimes yet — there has undeniably been more willingness to cut ties with men who might have abused their power. – Read more at VOX