Swedish 'Idol' Producer Named EP of 'American Idol'

Per Blankens replaces Lythgoe, Warwick on Fox show's 13th season

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/10/2013 1:26:28 PM

Swedish Idol executive producer Per Blankens has been named to the same position on Fox's American Idol for its upcoming 13^th season, it was announced on Monday.

"Per is a creative and experienced executive who has been the showrunner on the blockbuster Swedish Idol for more than five seasons," said Trish Kinane, American Idol executive producer for FremantleMedia North America. "He is extremely passionate about Idol and I'm very excited about his ideas and vision for keeping Idol creatively vibrant. He brings the talent and energy needed to keep American Idol strong."

In addition producing Idol from 2007-11, Blankens was managing director of Friday TV, part of News Corp.'s Shine Group, and head of programmes for the Scandinavian production company Meter Television, where he oversaw the Swedish versions of other Shine reality shows like MasterChef and The Biggest Loser. In his last season at Idol, the program had a 51% share of total viewers on Sweden's TV4.

Blankens' appointment comes days after longtime American Idol executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick were not asked to return next season.