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Official Press Release:

ITV signs new, three-year deal The X Factor & Britain's Got Talent with Syco Entertainment and Fremantlemedia



ITV is delighted to announce a new three-year deal for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, the UK’s two biggest television formats. As part of this renewed collaboration with Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia, the broadcaster has also secured exclusive UK broadcast rights to the American version of The X Factor and America’s Got Talent for ITV2.


Under the new agreement, which extends ITV’s successful nine-year relationship with Simon Cowell until 2013, Britain’s Got Talent will return to ITV1 in late-spring 2011, and The X Factor in autumn 2011. ITV2 will also continue to broadcast hit shows The Xtra Factor and Britain’s Got More Talent.


Simon Cowell said: "I am thrilled this deal has been concluded with ITV to enable our relationship to continue to develop. I am committed to making sure both shows get bigger and better every year. I have a lot to thank ITV for; they have been key in making The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent the UK's biggest television shows."


Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, said: “The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are the shows that have helped define the last decade of television in the UK and have become more than just a talking point: they are a national obsession, and I’m delighted that our viewers can continue to enjoy them on ITV over the next three years.


“I’m especially pleased to have agreed a deal that cements our successful relationship with Simon Cowell, Syco and FremantleMedia over a longer term. I look forward to working with them as we continue to develop both shows and keep them at the top of their game.”


The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are the UK’s most popular entertainment television programmes on any channel. The two shows provided the most watched television moments of 2009 with peak audiences of 19.3 million for The X Factor final and 19.9 million for the Britain’s Got Talent Final.


This year’s seventh series of The X Factor has been the most popular ever with viewing figures across every stage reaching record levels. Almost 17 million watched the second Judges’ houses show, and yesterday’s second live results show peaked at an enormous 15.2 million; the highest ever at this stage of the competition.


Online, ITV.com/TheXFactor attracted over 95 million page views during the 2009 series with over 30 million video views across the run.


Sara Geater, Interim CEO, talkbackTHAMES said: "We are very proud of our productions and the incredibly talented team behind them. We are delighted with ITV's commitment to the shows and that our successful relationship with Syco continues to flourish."


ITV will also become exclusive sales agents for all television, online and interactive properties for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. A new revenue share agreement for iTunes’ downloads of live performances has also been agreed.

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press...t/default.html