ABC is planning to air a news special containing what it describes as "explosive" allegations about American Idol.

Entitled "Fallen Idol", the special edition of Primetime Live will air on May 4 at 10pm ET/PT in the States. However, Primetime usually airs on Thursday nights and Wednesday is traditionally results night on Idol, which airs on rival network Fox - leading many to comment that ABC's move looks like a deliberately-timed spoiler, especially given that May 4 falls during the May ratings sweep.

ABC has declined to release details on the "explosive claims" that will be examined in the report, but recent Idol headlines have included claims of an affair between a contestant and a judge.