'The X Factor' may be moving to America via Fox in a deal with the show's creator, 'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell.
According to Reuters Cowell, who is in the final year of his contract on 'Idol', had been open about his desire to bring his mega-hit British format to the US, something he couldn't do under his existing 'Idol' contract.
Now Fox and Cowell are said to be hammering out a deal to launch an American version of 'X Factor' - while locking in Cowell as an 'Idol' judge for two more years, through the 2011-12 season.
The deal has not been finalized, and major points are being negotiated, but it is rumoured that Cowell could earn about $50 (€34) million a season for 'Idol' and that a successful 'X Factor' might bring him an additional $50 million a cycle.
It has not been determined whether Cowell, who would executive produce 'X Factor' for Fox, also would appear as a judge.
Other rumoured celebrity candidates for the judges' panel are former 'Idol' co-star Paula Abdul plus there are reports that Cowell might bring Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh to America with him.
