Channel 5 are "keen" to secure a big-money deal with Simon Cowell.
Channel 5 are 'keen' to secure a big-money deal with Simon Cowell
It has been previously speculated that the 63-year-old music mogul could take ITV's 'The X Factor' over to Channel 5, and he is said to have met Ben Frow, the channel's director of programmes, again this week to discuss potential projects, which could also include new entertainment formats.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper: "This would be a huge move for Simon, who carved out a TV career based on BGT and X Factor on Channel 5’s rival station.
"It would effectively see him turn his back on ITV after two decades which have seen him deliver them two of their biggest hits.
"There’s a strong sense that one chapter is ending and another beginning and Channel 5 are keen to be a part of that."
However, it's thought Channel 5 would need to pay a seven-figure sum to land Simon.
The insider added: "But they’d need to nail down a seven-figure contract to seal the deal to bring him across."
In July, Simon was said to have struck a deal with the network to bring back the singing competition - which ran for 15 series and two spin-offs on ITV from 2004 to 2019 - after taking "lots of meetings" with a number of different TV channels.
A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper at the time: "As soon as 'X Factor' was up for grabs, there was interest from a number of the networks.
"'X Factor' is one of the most iconic shows in TV history, so it’s no surprise lots of channels were keen. The production company had their pick.
"After a lot of meetings, execs decided to go with Channel 5."
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