At today’s FOX presentation to members of the press, Simon Cowell signed the dotted line to bring his hit U.K. series The X Factor to American audiences.
In doing so, Cowell has announced that the coming season of American Idol will be his last.
Speculation is strong that Paula Abdul, who left Idol recently, could be joining Simon on his new quest.
Sadly, this X Factor has nothing to do with Cyclops, Jean Grey, or the Beast; nor does it have any ties to Jamie Madrox & company. Maybe some day…
You can find the FOX press release below.
“THE X FACTOR” TO LAUNCH ON FOX IN 2011
FOX announced today that THE X FACTOR will launch in the U.S. in the fall of 2011. Simon Cowell, who created and launched THE X FACTOR in the U.K. in 2004, will serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.S. version, which will be produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America.
THE X FACTOR is currently shown in 17 countries worldwide with a global audience of more than 500 million, and is the No. 1 TV entertainment format in Europe. Cowell will continue to serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.K. version. THE X FACTOR format is owned by Syco, a global music, television and film production joint venture between Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.
“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of THE X FACTOR, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX,” said Cowell. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this.”
Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, said, “We have had a very successful relationship with Simon Cowell for many years, and we’re absolutely delighted to continue our relationship with him. THE X FACTOR has been a massive success around the world, and we can’t wait to bring it to the U.S. in 2011.”
“THE X FACTOR has enjoyed an unparalleled success in its U.K. home market and globally,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. “We are truly excited to bring it to the U.S. and look forward to building another entertainment franchise in the marketplace.”
About Syco/Simon Cowell
Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.
Syco Television produces the BAFTA Award-winning “The X Factor,” which has topped the charts in Europe and in the U.K., where Cowell continues to serve as both executive producer and judge. Syco Television is also the owner of the “Got Talent” television format. Versions of both “The X Factor” and “Got Talent” are co-produced by Syco and shown in more than 40 countries.
“The X Factor” 2009 in the U.K. reached audiences of 20 million (60% audience share), and in Denmark, the audience share reached a record high of 80%.
Cowell also executive produces “America’s Got Talent” and judges and produces “Britain’s Got Talent,” which in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world’s biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history.
Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis, Il Divo and Paul Potts. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 180 million albums and delivering more than 150 No. 1 records.
In 2009, Cowell was named No. 1 in Hollywood Reporter’s Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV and one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Entertainers of the Year.
About FremantleMedia North America
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Can You Duet” (CMT), “The Chilli Project” (MTV), “Secret Girlfriend” (Comedy Central), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syndicated), and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS). In the U.K., “The X Factor” is produced by talkbackThames, a division of FremantleMedia, and Syco Television.
