Buh bye Sony!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, American Idol creator, Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment have struck a new deal with Universal Music Group!
That means, Sony has lost the music rights to Fox’s “American Idol.”
“With ‘Idol’ celebrating our 10th season I wanted to inject some new power and weight behind our brand, ” Fuller said in a statement. “We have been quietly delivering hits relentlessly for 9 seasons and Lucian Grainge and Jimmy Iovine’s (Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M) ambition, commitment, and determination to push the boundaries and go even further with Idol was very compelling. It is exciting to have the world’s biggest show partnered with the world’s biggest music company.”
According to the LA Times, the agreement begins with the Season 10 Idols. Read it HERE. Hollywood Dealine describes the deal as “multi-year” read it HERE.
Lucian Grainge, Co-Chief Executive Officer of UMG comments:
“We like delivering hits and new artists. UMG and ‘American Idol’ is the right combination at the right time. Pairing the renowned expertise of Simon and Jimmy in developing and marketing musical talent creates a truly winning combination that will allow ‘Idol’s’ artists to realize their fullest potential.”
UPDATE! Sony Music issued its own statement:
“After enjoying a successful relationship, Sony Music Entertainment wishes Simon Fuller and 19 Entertainment well in this transitional period for the American Idol franchise. We look forward to continuing our relationships with the many artists on the Sony Music roster who have graduated from the American Idol system, including Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, David Cook, Adam Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Jordin Sparks and David Archuleta among others and we are excited for the upcoming albums later this fall from Season 9’s winner and runner-up Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox.”
Simon Cowell’s production company SyCo, operates under the Sony Music banner, and as such, will be releasing the music from X Factor winners when Simon’s new show hits the American shores in fall 2011. Sony also releases the music from Glee.
I wonder if 19E feared a conflict of interest with X Factor? Hm.
Also, how much effort will Sony now put into promoting new albums from Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox? And do alums with new albums on the horizon, like David Cook and David Archuleta have a reason to worry?
