We’ll still have music competitions on television until who knows when, but knowing the end of an awful era lies close is satisfying …

Did it really take executives over at FOX headquarters 13 years to realize what an awful show they’ve been forcibly feeding us year after year? Have they finally sprouted a springtime conscience and moved to the side of reason against its embarrassment of barrel-sludge entertainment?

Nope, actually, the outlet is likely losing a fuck load of money on the singing competition show and are looking towards the final option of abandoning the sinking ship before it gets too late. Finally sometime soon, because of its steady decline, American Idol will be no more.

The final season will begin in January of 2016 and is planned to feature a bevy of contestants from years past. The entirety of it will act as a season-long farewell to the polarizing show.

“You know, it was not an easy decision,” said FOX chairman and CEO Gary Newman in a press conference. ”American Idol has been such a vital part of FOX for its run, and we spent a lot of time talking with producers about the future of American Idol and collectively we arrived at the conclusion that it was time to bring the show to an end.”

In its peak fifth season in 2006, American Idol drew in more than 36 million viewers. Since, the ratings have consistently fallen for the evening show and currently sit at around 11.6 million viewers. Which isn’t awful for a long-standing reality show, but given the amount of money the camp is paying out to big-name celebrities and funding its multi-city tours and yada yada yadas and what-have-yous — its likely just not worth the overhead cost anymore to FOX.

And the show saying its goodbyes is probably a good thing for music, too.

There have been a few great artists coming out of the decade-and-a-half reign such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry et al. — but the fallout from its frivolous teachings has been horrendous for up and coming talent going after their dreams. It spent years engraining in every aspiring artist that the only way to reach the top is to try out for a miserable and exploitative show.

We’ll still have music competitions on television (and likely always will) until who knows when, but knowing the end of an awful era is soon colors the future a little brighter.

And we’re guessing this guy is happy as balls about the cancellation too …