FOX has announced a change to its previously announced upcoming January American Idol 3 premiere, with the first two-hour episode of the program's originally planned two-night/three-hour premiere now having been broken into two one-hour consecutive night broadcasts due to concerns regarding a potential presidential address conflict.

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Originally scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, January 20 (8-10 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, January 21 (8-9 PM ET/PT), the highly anticipated show will now return to the FOX broadcast schedule with one-hour episodes airing on the three consecutive nights of Monday January 19, Tuesday January 20 and Wednesday January 21 at 8-9 PM ET/PT.

According to reports, concern over the possible scheduling of President Bush's annual State of the Union Address for the Tuesday, January 20 9PM ET timeslot fueled the American Idol broadcast change. While the date of the address has yet to be formally announced (the White House only announces the date in early January) word has apparently reached the networks of possible January 20 address, and, unwilling to chance a preemption, FOX opted to reschedule the premiere.

After the special two-day premiere, American Idol will regularly air Tuesdays (8-9 PM ET/PT) and Wednesdays (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).