Canadian Idol is ready to rock the nation, thanks to the exciting group of musicians found on this year's extremely successful audition tour.

Starting June 5 at 8 p.m., the country's most watched summer series will begin whittling Idol hopefuls to an elite Top 22, who will then face Canada's votes on the quest to become the national winner.

With a rule change allowing instrument-playing competitors to accompany themselves in their auditions, the show welcomed a vast new crop of undiscovered talent.

Many had never tried out for the show in previous years and for the first time, more guys than girls landed a coveted "Gold Ticket" to the Top 200 round.

"This is one of the best cross-country auditions we've ever had," said executive producer John Brunton.

"Allowing competitors to audition with instruments has attracted a level of talent that we haven't seen before.  Get ready for one of the best seasons ever."

The premiere kicks off with 90 minutes of auditions from the national 10-city audition tour, featuring some of Canada's best -- and worst -- talent.

Thirty-one episodes later, another life will be changed when the next Canadian Idol is crowned.

It's a title that immediately springs its owner to the fore of Canadian pop culture. Previous Idol winners have received Juno nominations, sold gold records and made chart-topping music videos.

More than 30 former Canadian Idol Top 10 finalists have recorded and released albums, resulting in sales of nearly 1 million units.

"Canadian Idol is one of those rare shows that actually makes a difference," said Susanne Boyce, CTV President of Programming. "Not only to the competitors whose lives are changed by the experience, but to viewers at home as well."

Last year's season finale peaked at more the 3.4 million viewers and more than 36 million votes were cast over the summer.

This season, music industry experts Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner are back with as many opinions as ever -- to offer criticism, compliments and most of all, guidance as Canadian Idol's judging panel.

Host Ben Mulroney also returns, offering his special brand of charm, alongside a newly added roving reporter -- the tender-hearted yet staunchly comical Dave Kerr.

Here's the schedule:

• Premieres Tuesday, June 5 with 90-minute audition episode, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. (featuring Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Winnipeg, St. John's and Halifax)
• Continues Tuesday, June 12 with 90-minute audition episode, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. (Saskatoon, Montreal, Vancouver and London)
• Top 200 episodes air Monday, June 18 from 8-9 p.m. and Tuesday, June 19 from 8-9:30 p.m.
• Top 22 performance episodes air Mondays/Tuesdays from 8 p.m. beginning June 25
• Top 22 results episodes air Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8 p.m. beginning June 27
• Top 10 week one airs Tuesday, July 17 from 8:30 - 10 p.m. and Wednesday, July 18 from 7:30 - 8 p.m.
• Top 10 shows move to their regular timeslot on Mondays from 9 - 10 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:30 - 9 p.m., beginning July 23

Visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times.