Simon Cowell to bring The X Factor to U.S.
Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol when his contract expires at the end of the show’s ninth season to launch a US version of the X Factor.
“What we have agreed is that The X Factor will launch in America in 2011 with me judging the show and executive producing,” Cowell said. “Because of htat, this will be my last season on American Idol this year. I am confident it will continue to be the number one show.”
The US version of The X Factor will be screened on Fox, like Idol. The network is hoping The X Factor will repeat the phenomenal success it has had in other countries. It has an audience of 500 million in 17 countries. In the UK last year, the show reached an audience share of 60%.
Simon Cowell has had extraordinary success. Besides Idol and The X Factor, Cowell’s company owns the Got Talent format which launched stars like Susan Boyle.
His record label claims Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 180 million albums and delivering more than 150 number one records.
The Hollywood Reporter put Cowell at the top of their 50 most power people in reality TV in 2009 and he was one of Entertainment Weekly’s top entertainers of the year.
It will be a challenge for Fox to find a replacement for Cowell, whose acerbic style on Idol is one of the show’s biggest attractions.
Although the audience has slipped in the last three years, the network expressed confidence in American Idol’s future potential to attract huge ratings.
The show has created some stars – Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood – and is shown in more than 100 nations.
President of Fox Entertainment, Kevin Reilly, said: “We are very buoyant about where the show is going to be this season. Every year Idol has increased its lead over the number two show.”