"The X Factor," a music talent show on British television, may be coming to the U.S. via Fox and a deal with the show's creator, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell.Cowell, in the final year of his contract on "Idol," had been open about his desire to bring his mega-hit British format to the U.S., something he couldn't do under his existing "Idol" pact.
Now Fox and Cowell are said to be hammering out a deal to launch an American version of "X Factor" -- while locking in Cowell as an "Idol" judge for two more years, through the 2011-12 season.
The deal has not been finalized, and major points are being negotiated, but it is rumored that Cowell could earn about $50 million a season for "Idol" and that a successful "X Factor" might bring him an additional $50 million a cycle.
It has not been determined whether Cowell, who would executive produce "X Factor" for Fox, also would appear as a judge. Other rumored celebrity candidates for the judges' panel are former "Idol" co-star Paula Abdul and two judges on the British "X Factor," pop star Cheryl Cole and talent manager Louis Walsh.
All parties involved in the negotiations declined comment Wednesday.
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