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Simon Cowell signs new five-year ITV deal despite X Factor spin-off flops



Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and ITV have signed a new five-year deal. 

The agreement will see the music mogul’s shows appear exclusively on the channel until at least 2024, ITV said.

It means there will be five series of Britain’s Got Talent and at least one of The X Factor.

Cowell said: “I am thrilled our relationship with ITV is to continue for the foreseeable future.

“ITV has always been home to Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor – and me – and this long-term commitment shows the mutual respect in our partnership.”

(Rachel Luna/Getty Images)

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television, added: “We are delighted to have secured Simon for another five years with ITV.

“His track record speaks for itself. He creates shows that bring the nation together, celebrating the talent and diversity of modern Britain and giving ordinary people with extraordinary talent the chance to find fame.”  

X Factor was once one of Cowell’s most dependable shows, but has suffered a ratings decline in recent years.

A celebrity spin-off version, which began airing in October, failed to win viewers back.

The X Factor: The Band then began airing this week but has reportedly lost a quarter of viewers since Monday’s series opener. 

 

Simon and the X Factor 2018 judges ( Ian West/PA Archive/PA Images)

Stars who have found fame on The X Factor include One Direction, Leona Lewis, Little Mix and Olly Murs. Paul Potts, Lost Voice Guy and Susan Boyle all got their start on Britain’s Got Talent.

The news also comes as America’s Got Talent, a part of Syco just like Britain’s Got Talent, has become embroiled in controversy following Gabrielle Union’s exit from the show.

Union said she was fired after complaining about a hostile environment on the set. 

NBC is investigating amid other complaints of a toxic culture on set.



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