ITV Signs Simon Cowell For Two Years
ITV has announced a deal with sharp tongued Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell to tie him to the broadcaster for two years.
The deal will see the pop-svengali working exclusively with ITV on new projects, as well as staring in several new shows to be announced in the next few weeks.
Cowell shot to fame as “TV’s Mr Nasty” during the first series of Pop Idol, ITV’s high rating talent free-for-all, bringing budding entertainers down to Earth with a bump and, usually, a tear in their eye.
The latest series of the sing-a-thon drew huge ratings for ITV, culminating in audience figures of over 11 million for the final. The broadcaster will be expecting Cowell to repeat this performance with future projects, although the Pop Idol franchise has seen a decline recently, with the finalé of the second series drawing nearly 1.5 million fewer than its predecessor.
Commenting on the deal with Cowell, Nigel Pickard, director of programmes at ITV said: “Simon is already a genuine face of ITV and it’s great that we have made him part of the ITV family. He has brought a tremendous amount to the channel in recent years and continues do so with unrivalled professionalism and enthusiasm.”
Cowell, now a self-styled media-magnate, has branched out in recent months. This year saw the launch of Simcow Limited, his television format company launched as a joint venture with BMG, as well as his continuing career with S Records which has seen him notch up 35 number ones and sales of nearly 100 million records.
ITV is reportedly in talks with former BBC director general Greg Dyke about securing the populist TV chief for a senior position within the company, possibly replacing Charles Allen as chief executive (see Dyke In Talks To Take Top Job At ITV).
ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com
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