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X Factor and Britain's Got Talent will unfortunately continue to be televised on UK screens until 2016 at least, after boss Simon Cowell signed a new multi-million pound three year deal with ITV.
Despite rumours of the demise of X Factor as Cowell considering axing it, the pop manufacturing mogul has now signed a contract with ITV - reported to be worth £150million.
"I am thrilled that we have extended our deal with ITV for Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor," said Cowell in a statement. "They have been fantastic partners and we have some exciting new plans to take the shows to the next level."
We dread to think what that level could be.
Meanwhile, ITV's director of Television Peter Fincham added: "Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor are two of the most popular and most talked about shows on TV."
True, but still inexcusably poor.
Fincham added: "They set the gold standard for entertainment production. We’re pleased to announce this deal which will see them continue to be an important part of ITV’s schedule."
It's not all good news for Cowell though, as the X Factor USA is in dire trouble with ratings dipping under 4 million for the first time in the show's history. To put this into perspective, Simon Cowell confidently predicted viewing figures of 20 million when the show started. Now in its third series, only 3.6 million tuned in last weekend to see the seemingly doomed talent show.
It is getting trounced in the ratings by rival TV talent show, The Voice USA, which attracted over 10 million viewers over the same weekend. Rumours are rife that Cowell will abandon the sinking ship next year and return to the much more popular UK version of the show to replace the departing Gary Barlow.
