London, Sep 27
Simon Cowell is taking his popular show "X Factor" to the US after signing a $103 million (65 million pounds) deal with Fox TV.
The mirror.co.uk reports that Cowell landed the big-money contract to export the hit ITV show as part of his latest "American Idol" deal, which struggling Fox has been desperate to renew for a further two years.
"Simon knew how much they needed him for 'Idol' but there was no deal until they agreed to do 'X Factor'," said a source.
Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul are in the running for the series, which Cowell will produce but not star in.