ITV keen on Cowell to return as a judge as £50m negotiations over new contracts related to the talent show intensify
ITV is pushing Simon Cowell to make a return to judging X Factor UK, as the £50m negotiations to renew contracts relating to the talent show hot up.
The three-year contract between ITV, Cowell's production company Syco and co-producer Fremantle for his star shows – X Factor and Britain's Got Talent – expire at the end of this year.
ITV is keen to sign new contracts for both shows, but wants Cowell to agree to return to help boost X Factor UK.
Cowell stopped judging in the UK to focus on building X Factor USA, which is aired on Rupert Murdoch's Fox, however the show has struggled to make a major dent against rival American Idol.
Cowell's PR spokesman Max Clifford said: "Obviously, everybody to do with the show wants Simon because he gives it an extra quality, we understand that, but with his commitments over there he simply can't be in two places at once."
However, the 10-year-old X Factor UK is starting to show its age with the lowest audience since 2006 tuning in to watch James Arthur win last year's finale.
The show is still the biggest on UK television, easily trumping the BBC's copycat rival The Voice. Nevertheless, ITV chiefs are aware that Cowell's star power could be a key catalyst in turning around the drop in viewing figures.
One insider claimed Cowell would be more likely to return if ratings for the forthcoming third series of US X Factor fell, which would potentially put the show in danger of not being renewed for further series.
This would free-up Cowell's schedule, but would mean it could be mid-autumn before ITV would learn of the media mogul's intentions as the show returns to Fox on 11 September.
It is understood that Cowell earns around £100,000 an episode, but ITV would be keen to reduce his fee and the overall production costs.
The broadcaster's hand has been strengthened since the last three-year deal was signed as the previously-impregnable Cowell has had disappointing ratings for his new shows, Red or Black and cookery show Food Glorious Food.
However, he is still a huge star and his shows form the backbone of ITV's entertainment schedule.
"ITV in a way can't do without BGT or X Factor," said an insider. "It's a question of who is feeling more vulnerable."
It is thought that ITV will sign a deal for X Factor, it can make as much as £100m a season in TV ad revenue and sponsorship, but that if talks to guarantee Cowell's appearance falter, it could look to offer reduced terms such as a two-year contract.
Also due to expire is ITV's golden handcuffs deal with its star presenters, BGT hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.
The pair are in a strong position going into negotiations, Saturday Night Takeaway and I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here both continue to perform strongly, and a renewal is expected to be a much more straighforward process.
They are reportedly on around £80,000 or £90,000 a show and have set up a new production company Mitre Television.
ITV, Fremantle, Syco and McPartlin and Donnelly declined to comment.
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