ITV Signs New Deal With Simon Cowell for ‘Britain’s Got Talent,’ ‘The X Factor’

ITV has signed a new three-year deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia for “Britain’s Got Talent” and “The X Factor.” The new deal kicks in with “Britain’s Got Talent” in spring 2017, followed by “The X Factor” in the fall.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television, said: “’Britain’s Got Talent’ and ’The X Factor’ are both big, brilliant, wonderful shows and I am delighted that they will continue to take up their place as an important part of our schedule for the next three years. They are defining shows for us, ones that we are very proud to have as part of our entertainment slate, and they continue year after year, for months at a time, to be amongst the most popular and hugely entertaining formats on television.”

Cowell said: “I want to thank ITV for continuing to be fantastic partners. I’m delighted for the shows and, in particular, for all the talented people who work on them with us.”

“The X Factor,” which is in its 13th season in the U.K., has drawn a top consolidated audience so far this season of 10 million viewers, a 42% share of viewing, which is the show’s highest audience since 2014, beating every episode of last year, including the final. The show is averaging 7.2 million viewers and a 34% share of viewing, rising to a 48% share of 16-34s, based on Live and Vosdal (Viewing On Same Day As Live) overnights. This season is averaging a consolidated audience of 8.8 million viewers and a 37% share, with a 53% share of 16-34s.

“Britain’s Got Talent” is ITV’s most watched entertainment show — averaging 8.2 million viewers and a 39% share of viewing based on Live and Vosdal overnights, and 9.9 million viewers and a 42% share of viewing based on consolidated ratings. The highest rating episode of the 10th season this spring scored 12.5 million viewers and a 51% audience share (based on consolidated data) — the only program on ITV this year to exceed 12 million viewers, outside of the European soccer tournament.

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