CTV also announced that due to the success of the addition of musical instruments last season – a North American first for Idol which will now be seen in the upcoming season of American Idol on CTV– all singer/musicians are once again welcome to audition for Canadian Idol with instruments in 2008.

In 2007, a whopping 42% of gold ticket winners in Season 5 played a musical instrument. "When CTV announced the addition of musical instruments last year, I knew I had to try out," said Season 5 champion Brian Melo. "I am so grateful that I did! It has changed my life forever. "

"Canadian Idol continues to defy expectations," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "This show has established itself as the place to be for undiscovered Canadian talent and guest stars alike. We look forward to meeting a new crop of hidden talent this year."

Auditions will be held in the following 10 cities on the dates listed below. The first four audition venues have been announced; the remaining six venues will be revealed at later dates (all information subject to change).

City Dates Venues

• St.John's, Newfoundland and Labrador - April 8 - Avalon Mall
• Toronto, Ontario - April 12-13 - Yonge-Dundas Square

The 2008 Canadian Idol "Easy-Access" tour continues to make it easy to audition. As in 2007, there is no need to line up, as competitors can choose the day and time they want to try out. Registration is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on each day of auditions. As well, almost all auditions are scheduled on weekends and most of the auditions will be held at shopping malls.

Auditions for Canadian Idol are open to all Canadians between the ages of 16 and 28 (inclusive) as of January 25, 2008. For more information about Canadian Idol, registration forms, rules and regulations, visit the series official website at idol.CTV.ca.

Competitors will be judged evenly on their singing, whether playing instruments or singing a cappella. Those choosing to play an instrument will also be judged on their playing abilities.

Season 6 of Canadian Idol will return to CTV this June, building on the success of its fifth season in 2007, which, once again, was the most-watched program of the summer on Canadian television. The non-simulcast Idol drew 23 per cent more viewers last season than the second most-ranked series on Canadian TV of the summer, Americas Got Talent (CTV/NBC). Last Septembers season finale saw nearly five million Canadians tune in to some or all of the broadcast. When Hamiltons Brian Melo was revealed as the 2007 Canadian Idol champion in the final minutes, a remarkable 2.75 million Canadians were watching.