ITV want 'The X Factor' back.
Simon Cowell is bringing back The X Factor
It was revealed in July that show boss Simon Cowell was in advanced talks with Channel 5 about screening a new series of the talent contest - which ran for 15 series and two spin-offs on ITV from 2004 to 2019 - but he's now said to be in the middle of a bidding war with the two networks.
A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "After Simon Cowell decided to bring 'X Factor' back, he reached advanced talks with Channel 5.
"But now ITV execs have made it very clear they want the show.
"They're trying to convince Simon to ditch channel 5 and go with them instead."
The programme is expected to return in 2023, with production staff already on board and auditions expected to take place in the next few months.
It was previously claimed bringing the show to Channel 5 would be a great opportunity to overhaul the format and give the programme a "fresh start".
A source said: “This is the start of a new chapter for 'X Factor'. Moving to a new channel gives the creative team a chance to completely revamp the format and do something different.”
It was previously claimed Simon plans to strip 'The X Factor' back to basics in the hope of trying to "recapture the magic" of when it first aired.
An insider said over the summer: “It has been decided that the time is right to bring 'X Factor' back. It’s really exciting. Everyone who will be working on the new series can’t wait to get started.
"Producers want to recapture the magic the show had when it was first on TV.
“The focus will all be on the competition element of the show, rather than the razzle dazzle.”
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