Simon Cowell, the sharp-tongued judge who rose to fame with “American Idol,” saw his attempt to replicate that success with The X Factor end quietly as Fox announced the cancellation of the U.S. version of the show.
The decision comes after three seasons of declining ratings and high production costs.
Cowell, who arrived in the United States from Britain 12 years ago, initially brought a show so influential that competitors dubbed it the “Death Star” for its ability to overshadow other programs.
However, The X Factor struggled to live up to its predecessor, “American Idol,” failing to capture the same viewer interest.
Before its U.S. launch in 2011, Cowell confidently declared that the show needed to draw 20 million viewers to be considered successful.
However, it never reached that benchmark. The inaugural season averaged 12.3 million viewers, while the most recent season plummeted to around 6.8 million, a more than 40% decrease according to Nielsen ratings.
Fox’s cancellation of The X Factor was announced late Friday afternoon, just a day after Chase Carey, chief operating officer of 21st Century Fox, mentioned the show’s declining ratings as a factor in the company’s reduced profits.
The finale of the last season attracted approximately 7 million viewers, down by a third from the previous year, and performed even worse in the coveted 18-49 age group. This demographic saw viewership drop by more than 40%, a significant blow considering its importance to advertisers.
While “American Idol” has seen a decline in viewership over its 13 seasons, it still managed to significantly outperform the X Factor finale.
Adding to the competition woes, NBC’s The Voice emerged as a popular alternative, further diminishing The X Factor‘s audience.
High production costs, driven by the salaries of celebrity judges, also played a role in the show’s demise.
Early seasons of American Idol featured relatively modest budgets with judges like Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
In contrast, recent seasons saw an influx of high-profile names such as Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr.
The X Factor followed suit, enlisting celebrities like Britney Spears, L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, and Kelly Rowland, which significantly increased production expenses.
Despite the dwindling numbers, Cowell remained optimistic about the show’s future. Late last year, he assured reporters that The X Factor would return for a fourth season.
However, Fox executives were not as confident.
“It has to be something worthy of trying, and not just putting the same show back on,” stated Kevin Reilly, Fox’s entertainment chief.
Fortunately for Cowell, the original British version of The X Factor continues to thrive and has a place for him to return to.
As Cowell heads back to the U.K., he leaves behind a show that, despite its ambitious start, ultimately failed to replicate the success of his previous American endeavour.
