Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' to give winner $5-million record deal

Simon Cowell's new music talent show, which got its first national exposure with a spot during Fox's coverage of the Super Bowl, will provide the winner with a $5-million record deal, the network announced Monday.

Auditions for the show, which premieres this fall, will start at the end of March. The record deal will be through Cowell's company Syco and Sony Music.

"We are going to put our money where our mouths are with the $5-million recording contract," Cowell said in a statement.

"I have no doubt 'The X Factor' will find winners worthy of international acclaim and career longevity, and believe with Sony's worldwide effort, the winners' potential can be unlimited," said Sony CEO Howard Stringer.

Cowell and Fox and the show's producers at FreemantleMedia North America have already struck a wide-ranging sponsorship deal with Pepsi. Cowell still hasn't announced who his other judges are. Hey, Ellen DeGeneres is available.

-- Joe Flint

 

Comments

[Jane Mitchell]

Please bring back Paula Abdul. She was the star of American Idol.

[Atlanta Roofing HQ]

Cowell HAS to see that adding Cheryl Cole is the right thing to do. There’s so much buzz on “will she or won’t she” when it comes to naming potential judges and yet there’s much less, if anything, being asked about Danni Minogue and/or Louis Walsh. Cowell can see the buzz Cheryl will bring.

[Lisa Wurzer]

Dear Simon,

PLEASE extend the offer to be one of your judges to Rob Halford. He is an awesome singer and just an overall great guy!!! His decades experience doesn't hurt him either!!!

Thanks,
Lease