LONDON: Britain’s ITV announced on Thursday there were “no plans” to air another season of the musical talent competition television show ‘The X Factor,’ which has been on the air since 2004.
Once one of the UK’s most popular TV shows, ‘The X Factor’ launched the musical careers of artists such as boyband One Direction, British girl group Little Mix, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis, and more.
‘The X Factor’ was the only non-sporting event on a list featuring the most-watched television shows of the past decade as the 2010 series finale was watched by more than 17 million viewers.
However, the show’s ratings fell significantly in recent years as only 5.3 million tuned in to watch the 2018 finale, when the show last aired on TV.
Simon Cowell, the show’s producer, announced in a statement to The Sun the show was being axed after 17 years.
The story in The Sun quotes a source who said: “Simon remains at the top of his game … He owns the rights to the show, and it is his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it. Clearly, the last thing he wants is for ‘The X Factor’ to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke.”
Cowell is reportedly turning his attention now to co-star alongside a panel of judges in an upcoming new ITV musical quiz show called ‘Walk The Line.’
