'American Idol' hires Per Blankens as new executive producer

Per Blankens, the man in charge of Idol in Sweden, has replaced Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick as executive producer of American Idol 13. OMG I love this season already. I love Sweden!

Credit: FOX

From EW:

American Idol went out of the country to find its next executive producer. Per Blankens, who was in charge of the Swedish version of Idol, will now replace Nigel Lythgoe for the show’s 13th season that kicks off in January. Blankens was also head of programming for Meter Television, one of Scandinavia’s production companies that made overseas versions of Idol, Master Chef and The Biggest Loser. Blankens served as the producer of Idol in Sweden from 2007-2011.

“Per is a creative and experienced executive who has been the show runner on the blockbuster Swedish Idol for more than 5 seasons,” said Trish Kinane, Idol’s executive producer for FremantleMedia North America, in a statement. “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.”

Some acts from Sweden (including my favorite ABBA!)