[King Gizzard]

Sorry if this has already been posted. Can't find it anywhere

Originally Posted by the Guardian

Simon Cowell at The X Factor final launch ... hinted at new Saturday night pop show. Photograph: Ken McKay/Rex Features

Simon Cowell is poised to launch a new Saturday night pop music show on ITV1, in what is likely to be regarded as an attempt to fill the void left by the demise of Top of the Pops.

The music mogul revealed today at a press conference ahead of this weekend's The X Factor final that he was developing a "new show" for ITV1 that he said could showcase for British talent.

Although details were sketchy, Cowell tantalised reporters with a few hints immediately after the formal press conference broke up. "There is always room for more music ... and we will be doing something on Saturday nights," he said.

His revelation is likely to lead to speculation that his new show could have a chart component and will inevitably lead to comparisons with Top of the Pops, which was axed by the BBC in 2006 after more than 40 years on air.

Neither Cowell's publicists nor ITV would confirm the exact nature of the show, but ITV insiders said that the idea was being actively discussed, for a show that could be on air next year.

Max Clifford – Simon Cowell's spokesman – said that the programme would be music related but was anxious to rebut comparisions with the BBC's long-running chart show. He insisted that the new programme "would not be Top of the Pops".

Cowell already has a hectic work schedule next year, when as well as appearing as a judge in The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent in the UK, he will be preparing to launch The X Factor in the US. It is not known whether Cowell will appear in the show, although his commitments would appear to make that unlikely.

It is understood that the programme will be produced by Syco, Cowell's production company. No firm date for broadcasting has been set, but Cowell himself indicated that the new ITV show could begin production early next year.

Top of the Pops first aired on the BBC in 1964, but was finally axed from its weekly slot in 2006 after falling ratings. The BBC has resisted repeated attempts to revive Top of the Pops, despite regular lobbying from the music industry, and only brings back the show for occasional one-off specials; this year's show will air on Christmas Day.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010...itv-music-show