Empire State Building to sparkle blue for season 8 premiere of 'American Idol'

   

NEW YORK -- The iconic lights of the Empire State Building will shine blue for an hour on Sunday night to celebrate the season premiere of "American Idol."

A special preview of season 8 airs Sunday night after the Oscars on ABC.

The special blue lights will sparkle from 9:45 p.m. until 10:45 p.m.

Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan Light the Empire State Building
Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan Light the Empire State Building
Disney/Eric McCandless

Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest were on hand to flip the famous light switch during a lighting ceremony at the Empire State Building.

The season premiere for "American Idol" airs Sunday, March 9 on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of ABC, Hulu and this ABC station.

Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan Light the Empire State Building
Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan Light the Empire State Building