ITV sign deal to keep Simon Cowell formats for further five years

The new deal comes despite poor ratings for The X Factor and its recent spin-offs Celebrity and The Band.

Strictly Come Dancing has battered The X Factor in the ratings in recent years.

“We are delighted to have secured Simon for another five years with ITV. His track record speaks for itself. He creates shows that bring the nation together, celebrating the talent and diversity of modern Britain and giving ordinary people with extraordinary talent the chance to find fame.” – Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Director of Television

Despite declining ratings and un-admired spin-off formats ITV has announced a new five-year commissioning deal with Syco Entertainment and Thames Television which includes The X Factor.

The agreement extends ITV’s successful and long standing relationship with Simon Cowell and Thames for a further half-decade, which will see him and his shows appear exclusively on the channel until at least 2024.

The partnership will ensure Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV until 2024 and will also see The X Factor return in 2020. However, the latter has faltered in recent years with its latest spin-off The X Factor: The Band bringing yet more ratings woe alongside the suggestion that it’s a pale imitation of former ITV series Popstars: The Rivals.

Early Days: in the 2000’s the X Factor was a TV juggernaut.

The first outing of the programme was seen by 2.75 million viewers, but by the end half had turned off with just 1.68 million still watching. Airing this week, the show sees judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell putting together a girl band and a boy band one of which will be crowned the winner in Sunday’s final. It follows a weekly celebrity version that also proved to be a ratings turkey and was won by former TOWIE star Megan McKenna.

Britain’s Got Talent, however, continues to be a draw for ITV with its most recent final consolidating to 9.7 million viewers and a 41% share of viewing.

“The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are shows full of heart, enjoyed by the whole family. Both celebrate talent of all kinds, from all walks of life and after 15 and 13 years respectively, we’re proud to make programmes which are much-loved staples of the ITV schedule. We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with the network to bring these shows into people’s homes across the UK.” – Amelia Brown, Managing Director Thames