Eight years after its final broadcast, a return for Simon Cowell's "The X Factor" is reportedly being hampered by ongoing disputes between Cowell's production company and broadcaster ITV. Sources suggest that disagreements over budget, talent, and strategic positioning are creating significant challenges as the show aims for a prime-time comeback.
One of the primary sticking points is the fee ITV will pay to broadcast the show, with half of that sum intended for Cowell, who owns the format and retains final decision-making power. This financial negotiation is complicated by an alleged "briefing war" against ITV's existing singing competition, "The Voice." Insiders suggest this tactic is being used to inflate the perceived value and cost of "The X Factor" by casting doubt on "The Voice's" performance.
Despite "The Voice's" recent opening viewership of 2.5 million, which is considered respectable for current terrestrial television, it does not compare to the peak of 19.4 million viewers who watched Matt Cardle win "The X Factor" in 2010. "The Voice has always been a thorn in The X Factor’s side," an insider noted, referencing past rivalries when "The Voice" was broadcast by the BBC.
Further complicating matters is the departure of former judge Cheryl Tweedy, who has joined "The Voice" as a mentor. Her absence is seen as a significant loss for "The X Factor," given her popularity with audiences. "Even though she has been out of the limelight for a long time, she’s a national treasure, people love her," said a source.
While previous seasons saw individual judge salaries reaching up to £1.5 million and substantial deals for couples like Robbie Williams and Ayda Field, current financial constraints at ITV necessitate a more modest budget. "Back in the day, each live episode might have cost around £1 million to make... But back then, ITV made a lot of money from advertising. That doesn’t happen anymore," an insider explained. The network is reportedly struggling financially, creating a conflict with Cowell's insistence on maintaining high production standards. "If it's not up to his standard, it won't happen," a source close to Cowell stated.
Potential solutions being discussed to lower costs include reducing the number of live shows in favor of more pre-recorded audition segments. The selection of judges is also a point of contention, with ITV reportedly favoring influencers while Talkback Thames prefers traditional celebrities. Cowell himself is said to be less inclined to return as a main judge, potentially preferring a role similar to his Netflix series "Simon Cowell: The Next Act," which led to the creation of the boyband December 10. This experience, sources say, has informed his understanding of appealing to younger audiences.
"ITV, like all channels, is really struggling to pull in viewers on Saturdays," an insider commented. "Any return for The X Factor would have to be lower budget and there will need to be compromises." Discussions also involve format changes aimed at attracting younger viewers, potentially through more controversial moments suitable for social media sharing.
"The X Factor," which originally launched in 2004, was instrumental in launching the careers of global stars such as Leona Lewis, One Direction, and Little Mix, who secured record deals with Cowell's Syco Music label. "Simon is very proud of this," a friend remarked. "It would be a shame to undermine it all by bringing a Poundland version of The X Factor back."