Australia:

* There was discussion to skip a year (or at least part of one) and do the Australian eighth season in 2017. It will be later in 2016.

* Jason Dundas is the new host of the show, replacing Luke Jacobz. (Aw.)

* Panel: Guy Sebastian, Mel B (back after a couple years), Iggy Azalea (to replace Dannii Minogue), and Adam Lambert (replacing Chris Isaak).

* No word yet on dates, but the official Aussie site is taking ticket requests.

UK:

* DERMOT'S BACK! Dermot O'Leary will host again this year after taking a year off. YAY!! (And many in the UK are very happy he accepted.)

* Panel: Only Simon returns from last season, but the season 13 crew is a very familiar one: Simon, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, and Nicole Scherzinger.

* According to the Wikipedia article on the series, the Six-Chair Challenge was about a month ago, and the following are the group assignments: Simon gets the girls, Nicole the boys, Sharon gets the Overs, and Louis gets the Groups.

* Night one for audition broadcasts is August 27.

Mike

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