Simon Cowell Reportedly in Talks with Channel 5 — Will ‘X Factor’ Return?
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Simon Cowell is reportedly in talks for a new contract with Channel 5 in the UK. This is significant, because Cowell has spent two decades making shows for the network’s rival, ITV. Could this news mean that The X Factor UK is returning at a new home?
Simon Cowell Reportedly in Talks with Channel 5
According to The Sun, Cowell recently met with Channel 5’s director of programs, Ben Frow. The pair has reportedly been in talks for months about potential projects from Cowell for the network.
“This would be a huge move for Simon, who carved out a TV career based on BGT and X Factor on Channel 5’s rival station,” a source told the outlet. “It would effectively see him turn his back on ITV after two decades which have seen him deliver them two of their biggest hits.”
The insider added that Channel 5 would “need to nail down a seven-figure contract to seal the deal to bring him across.”
The Sun points out that Cowell is contracted to remain the head judge on Britain’s Got Talent until 2025. It’s also the last ITV show Cowell is involved with. If he makes the move to Channel 5, could we see the return of The X Factor UK?
SEE ALSO: SIMON COWELL SAYS ‘THE X FACTOR UK’ IS RETURNING ON A NEW NETWORK
Will The X Factor UK Make Its Big Return?
There have been reports that Cowell planned to bring The X Factor back on Channel 5 all the way back to last summer. The show last aired a regular season in 2018, followed by two spin-offs. It was officially canceled at ITV in 2021.
Last year, Cowell told Talent Recap that it was “more likely than not” that the show would return in the UK. He has also teased that the show could be returning in the United States, also on a new network. The USA version was canceled in 2013 after only three seasons.
According to reports from late last year, Cowell had secured a deal to bring the show back on NBC, instead of its previous home at FOX. The talent show judge reportedly described NBC (which also hosts America’s Got Talent) as the “perfect partner.”
