UPDATED: Simon Cowell is a step closer to returning to Fox. A year after Fox cancelled his X Factor, Cowell is deep in conversations with Fox on a production pact. “What we are exploring is an overall deal where he would become an internal production pod on the reality side,” Fox TV Group chairman Dana Walden…

For the first time, pan-Arab media conglom MBC Group is taking the pan-Arab format rights to The X Factor and Project Runway for three seasons each.  In addition, FremantleMedia International closed a multi-year deal with MBC resulting in the re-licensing of the pan-Arab versions of Idol and Got Talent for three…

Update, 2:46PM: Simone Battle’s X Factor mentor Simon Cowell has tweeted about her death: I am so sad to hear about the news Simone Battle has passed away. She was such a fun nice person. It's such a loss. Rest in peace Simone. — Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) September 6, 2014 X Factor co-host Paula Abdul also sent…

Just a month after officially debuting on London’s West End, Simon Cowell‘s X-Factor parody show I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical is shuttering. Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and Stage Entertainment produced the stage show which opened at the London Palladium on March 26 following previews on March 5. Producers…

In this week's podcast, Deadline International Editor Nancy Tartaglione and host David Bloom preview this year's Mip-TV market and the interactive Israeli format that may just dominate this year's show; take a look at some of the very familiar nominees for the Olivier Awards, honoring the best of British stage; and…

They meet again! After a scheduling move by NBC pitted the network’s The Voice and Fox’s The X Factor during their premiere week, the two singing competition series will go head-to-head again on Tuesday after Fox rescheduled tonight’s episode because of baseball rain delay. “It what’s known as a total f up,” is how X F…

I hear that Britney Spears is close to a deal to join Simon Cowell on the judging panel of The X Factor in Season 2. Spears had been in talks for the gig for over a month, but I hear that the two sides are now headed for the final stretch after a big breakthrough over the weekend when major deal points were agreed…

Simon Cowell may soon have a new venue to go head-to-head with his longtime rival, American Idol creator Simon Fuller: Both are planning musicals for London’s West End. Cowell wants to build a stage show around his global franchise X Factor. Cowell has approached Brit comedian Harry Hill to write the book and comedy…

Simon Cowell Tries To Deflect Flak From ‘Red Or Black?’ The music and TV mogul said today “human error” was to blame after a man who did time for domestic abuse, Nathan Hageman, won the £1M jackpot on the game show’s opening night. Producer Cowell said that ITV bosses were “delighted” with Red or Black? despite…

2ND UPDATE 1:15 PM: Simon Fuller’s legal battle with Fox and FremantleMedia is quickly turning nasty, with the two sides throwing salvos at each other. Would they be able to bury the hatchet and maintain a decent working relationship on the upcoming 11th season of American Idol while the legal fight is going on? Here…

After a week of behind-the-scene drama, Fox, and X Factor USA producers Simon Cowell’s Syco TV and FremantleMedia this morning issued a statement confirming the judge switch on the upcoming reality series. After she was let go 10 days ago and then declined to return to the British X Factor, Cole on Friday night was ask…

The drama continues. After she was dropped from the U.S. X Factor and declined to return to the original British show, Cheryl Cole now may rejoin the Fox version. British papers and TMZ are reporting tonight that Cole has been asked to come back to the U.S. X Factor. Speculation is that if Cole turns down the offer…