Are X Factor and ITV calling it quits?
Simon Cowell may have already pledged to expand the X Factor empire by taking it on the road to Las Vegas, but he has admitted there is no deal in place for next year’s show. “Where we stand, we have no deal next year for the X Factor,” said Cowell. “We’ve just got to make sure that if we do bring it back it’s going to be better than this year.” The music mogul stressed the uncertainty was not over pay disputes, instead saying the financial deal is over investment in the show itself. ITV currently spends between £1.5 million to 1.7 million on the production each week. Cowell is said to be requesting the budget be pushed up to £2 million an episode for 2010. Cowell and ITV are expected to negotiate the deal before his current three-year £20 million contract expires at the end of the month. However, a decision may not come so quickly after Cowell said a “break from the show” was necessary before making any plans for next year. Cheryl Cole also expressed uncertainty over returning as a ju
