On the heels of today’s news that Simon Cowell will be returning to The X Factor UK, comes the FOX official announcement that the US version of X Factor is cancelled. Check out the official press release below:
SIMON COWELL TO DEPART U.S. VERSION OF “THE X FACTOR”
Entertainment Mogul to Return as Judge on “The X Factor UK” and Focus on Continued Global Success of International Formats
The award-winning international phenomenon THE X FACTOR has concluded its domestic run after three seasons, it was announced today by Syco, FremantleMedia North America and Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX).
“I’ve had a fantastic time over the last 12 years, both on THE X FACTOR and AMERICAN IDOL. And apart from being lucky enough to find some amazing talent on the shows, I have always had an incredible welcome from the American public (most of the time!),” said Simon Cowell. “Last year, for a number of reasons, I had to make a decision to return to the U.K. version of ‘The X Factor’ in 2014. So for now, I’m back to the U.K. and I want to thank FOX for being an incredible partner and I also want to thank everybody who has supported my shows. America, I’ll see you soon!”
“To all of us at FOX, Simon is more than one of the most prolific TV personalities of our time –he’s part of our family. A consummate showman and partner, there’s no one more passionate or creative than Simon, and we feel so fortunate to have enjoyed such a wonderful, collaborative relationship with him over the past 12 years,” said Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Unfortunately, there is no X FACTOR USA without Simon Cowell, but we understand and support his decision to focus on the international formats and on the next phase of his personal life. We wish him the very best, and it’s our sincere hope that we work together again soon.”
“‘The X Factor’ has become a true global hit entertainment format produced locally in 45 countries, and since its launch in 2004, has been watched by more than half a billion people around the world,” said Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming and Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America. “The U.S. version of THE X FACTOR has had a great run dominating the social media charts and discovering internationally successful artists, but Simon’s return to the U.K. ‘X Factor’ has been long anticipated. We have long-running partnerships both with FOX and Syco Entertainment and very much look forward to what the future holds for our ongoing relationships with them.”
In 2013, Alex & Sierra won Season Three of THE X FACTOR, and during the live shows, the duo reached No. 1 on the iTunes singles chart twice with six singles also breaking into the iTunes Top 20. Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony became international stars after Season Two of THE X FACTOR. Emblem3’s first album, “Nothing To Lose,” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Fifth Harmony’s EP, “Better Together,” debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard chart and reached Top 10 on iTunes in 41 countries, giving them the biggest debut album from any U.S. television competition series in 2012. Fifth Harmony were listed on MTV’s “Artist to Watch” for 2014 and also were the voices of Barbie’s new anthem, “Anything Is Possible.” They are on tour this spring with Demi Lovato, Little Mix and Cher Lloyd. Emblem3’s debut album, “Nothing To Lose,” reached No. 1 on iTunes in 14 countries.
THE X FACTOR won three TEEN CHOICE 2012 Awards for Reality Competition Show, Breakout Show and Simon Cowell – Male Personality. In 2013, THE X FACTOR won a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Competition Show and Demi Lovato won for Favorite Celebrity Judge. It also took home seven TEEN CHOICE 2013 Awards, including Reality Competition Show, Simon Cowell – Male Personality, and Emblem3 – Breakout Group, to name a few.
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How nice of FOX to spin the cancellation as if Simon was leaving X Factor US, to tend to the UK version, thus the US version COULDN’T POSSIBLY GO ON WITHOUT HIM.
A couple of things:
I wonder what this means for current Alex & Sierra? Will Syco and Columbia get fully behind them? It’s not as if they really supported their first two winners, Melanie Amaro and Tate Stevens. But wouldn’t it be a kick in FOX’s face if Alex & Sierra succeeded?
I wonder if the demise of X Factor means the FOX reality division will spend more time and dollars shoring up it’s aged but storied singing competition, American Idol? I hope so.
And to think, the conventional thinking back in 2010 was that X Factor might take over for the aging American Idol franchise. THINK AGAIN.
The success and savvy of The Voice, coupled with Simon Cowell’s complete lack of understanding of American audiences sunk the X Factor. The World Series didn’t help much either. Scheduling X Factor around three weeks of non-stop baseball was brutal.
