Will America fall for its ‘Idol’ again?

With “American Idol” starting its auditions this week, ABC will be hoping another Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood is among the hopefuls.

So will FremantleMedia Group, which produces the singing contest that’s beginning its 16th season.

“The danger is to forget that it’s the contestants that make the show,” Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia, recently told The Hollywood Reporter. “The key factor to a successful season is finding the right contestants.”

In a 15-year run on Fox, “Idol” changed television, generated huge ratings and made Simon Cowell a household name. Most of all, it made stars of winners (Fantasia, Phillip Phillips) and finalists (Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert) alike.

But when “Idol” left the Fox schedule in April 2016, the ratings had declined and the format seemed worn out. Yet ABC is looking to rejuvenate “Idol” and bolster ratings when the show returns next year.

“This is going to be ABC’s version of ‘American Idol,’ ” Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, told the Television Critics Association this month. “We’re looking forward to putting our special stamp and imprimatur on it.”

What that precisely means is unclear. But the Thursday auditions will be at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, and ABC is also part of Disney. (Former champs Ruben Studdard, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen will greet the singers.)

ABC could use another reality winner to go along with “Dancing With the Stars,” which starts its 25th season on Sept. 18 and remains the network’s mostwatched show. “DWTS,” hosted by Tom Bergeron, is an unpretentious delight.

“Idol,” however, sometimes got carried away with the self-importance. Ryan Seacrest will be back as host, and new judge Katy Perry reportedly is getting $25 million.

“We hit the jackpot with Katy,” Dungey told TV writers. “She is a songwriter, and to have someone like her on the panel is fantastic. This is a business. We need to make sure we make the right decision so the show can be financially viable, so it will have a place on ABC for years to come.”

That’s the main question: Will America fall for “American Idol” all over again?

GRANT POLLARD/INVISION/AP Singer Katy Perry will join the ABC version of “American Idol” as a judge when it launches next year.