Official: FOX Axe ‘The X Factor USA’

xfactor-cancelled

The X Factor USA is no more.

The Simon Cowell fronted talent search wrapped its third season back in December; a season FOX have announced this afternoon was its last.

Details after the jump…

Despite the addition of popular judge Kelly Rowland to the panel (which included Cowell, Demi Lovato, and Paulina Rubio), the show continued to trail behind established rivals American Idol and The Voice.

Worse still, the latest instalment of the British import had the unfortunate misfortune of continuing the show’s season-on-season ratings decline. A trend previous panelist such as Britney Spears could not prevent.

And despite claims from Cowell that he and FOX were in negotiations for a streamlined fourth season (which would have done away with the two-night format in favour of a one-hour/once-a-week setup), today saw the network wield the axe. Albeit politely.

In what appears to be carefully constructed PR spin (to minimize negative press), channel chiefs are citing Cowell’s recently confirmed return to the UK version of the show as the sole reason for laying the ‘X’ to rest. Indeed, there was no mention of tragic ratings when Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment at FOX said in a statement moments ago:

“Unfortunately, there is no X Factor USA without Simon Cowel. But we understand and support his decision to focus on the international formats and on the next phase of his personal life. We wish him the very best, and it’s our sincere hope that we work together again soon.

Cowell followed with:

“I’ve had a fantastic time over the last 12 years, both on The X Factor and American Idol. And apart from being lucky enough to find some amazing talent on the shows, I have always had an incredible welcome from the American public (most of the time!).” The sometimes-acerbic judge added, “I also want to thank everybody who has supported my shows. America, I’ll see you soon!”

{Source}

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Some may scoff, but this is a touch unfortunate. For, the X Factor inherently has ample potential embedded in its format. However, it’s biggest “sins” during its US run included the horrible editing that focussed on soap-opera sob stories, an uneven balance of decent talent, and the pathetic handling of the show’s winners.

More than anything, though, it was Cowell’s cocky declaration that the ‘X’ would pull in 20 million viewers in its first season (a goal it couldn’t even meet half-way) that seemed to be its slow kiss of death. In that regard, the show was essentially doomed before it began.

Cockiness comes at a cost.

Your thoughts?

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  1. JERQUATTA February 7, 2014

    ABOUT D@MN TIME!!!

  2. Mac February 7, 2014

    Save the excuses. Talent search shows are played and they do nothing for the winners. Atleast AI had a few successful acts. The Voice and X Factor had none. The shows are all about the judges these days anyway! Good riddance!

  3. tits mcgee February 7, 2014

    Not a surprise. It was going nowhere fast, since the get go. #ByeBitch

  4. Rosie February 7, 2014

    Good. It was boring, produced no stars, and had terrible ratings.
    *waits for Britney stans to say it was nothing without her even though ratings plummeted during season 2*

  5. THE QUEEN OF BUYING GRAMMYS February 7, 2014

    Thank God. Next the UK Fix factor.

  6. Lovebird February 7, 2014

    I saw this coming ever since season 2 FLOPPED.

    Oops, Kelly NowhereLand is jobless AGAIN!!!!!

    She is back to where she was, NOWHERE.

  7. tits mcgee February 7, 2014

    @Rosie, what about that rapper Cosmo(or whatever). He is making moves with RocNation! 😉

  8. Lovebird February 7, 2014

    ULTIMATE DEATH!!!!!!!!!

    I AAAMMMM SCCCRREEEAAAMMMIIIINNNGGG!!!!!!

    Simon Cowell now has to find talent THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

    He can NO LONGER MANUFACTURE himself a STAR

    AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  10. Lovebird February 7, 2014

    I bet Kelly now wishes she promoted that album ey, where is the re-release???

    She is SSOOOOO LAZY….I CANNOT WITH THIS WOMAN.

  11. tits mcgee February 7, 2014

    The show was wack as hell. Simon should have signed up Paula on season 1 . I miss her prescription drug fueled rants..

  12. Rosie February 7, 2014

    That’s good for Cosmo. He’s probably the most successful contestant though after those lame ass Nickelodeon reject girl/boy bands, whatever they’re called.
    The rest have no success whatsoever though.

  13. jack February 7, 2014

    Kelly rowland stay losing o well Letoya lucket show single ladies ratings have been though the roof

  14. tits mcgee February 7, 2014

    True, but I was just joking about him.

    The only thing I have heard from him was that remix to that Cheryl Lloyd song. Hopefully Roc will follow through with him.. eventually. He’s got talent.

  15. Molly February 7, 2014

    i blame Kelly.

  16. Molly February 7, 2014

    Lmao so sad it didn’t even last 5 seasons kiii

  17. Lovebird February 7, 2014

    @Molly

    <33333

  18. NT February 7, 2014

    It was a sinking ship from the beginning , and couldn’t really compete with the other talent shows

  19. Mimi Carey February 7, 2014

    Kelly ruins everything she touches.

  20. anonymous February 7, 2014

    Poor Kelly. she stay having bad luck.

  21. JER February 7, 2014

    SCREAMING! BYeeeeeeeeeeee

  22. J February 7, 2014

    You are an idiot, slap your face

  23. Mark111 February 7, 2014

    Remember when they thought they were smart and aired the same time at The Voice and a member from there said it will fail because of their sneakiness? It was a watered down AI. But if America Has Talent can stay on air, I thought for sure X would. BUT when AI is losing ratings and view counts, it time to put an end to it. I don’t get how people year after year watch these shows with flop after flop. It became the judges show Vs a talent show. I mean the last AI satr was Underwood, you MAY there Sparks in, but only Clarkson, Underwood, Fanta and (not for music, but pretty much just being around) JHud.

  24. Mark111 February 7, 2014

    Hahaha, Demi thought she was slick, “I just want to tour and do music.” You knew this show was done. lol

  25. The Queen of R&B February 7, 2014

    That show was Done when Britney was on it , And Ciara fans need to chill because Ciara could never get asked to judge anybody look at her career or she going to judge Don’t Come for The Queen of R&B

  26. Stephy Tha Lambily February 8, 2014

    Good, now they need to axe American Idol & just keep the VOICE!!!!

    The Voice is much better & dar more entertaining.

    Most of these shows are a joke anyways. They never even find good talent. Everybody on these talent shows are either wannabe Mariah’s or Whitney’s or boring generic country singers BYE!!!

  27. drunk in love February 8, 2014

    Well I’m really surprise that Kelly took that job at 1 million dollars when I believe Britney was paid some where around 12-15 million, are you kidding me Kelly only 1 million when you should have requested at least 7 million. AI paid their judges more, at least the least was paid 3/4 million. 1 million is a total slap in the face.

  28. CARMEN February 8, 2014

    lol the show was a mess anyway. just look at the way they handled the whole Cheryl Cole thing. it was a sinking ship from the get go

  29. KELLY FLOPLAND February 8, 2014

    Lmao I bet Kelly was expecting to return as a judge on the 4th season so she could release her new album around the same time the live shows start. Too bad it ain’t gonna happen now lol.

  30. FutureCIARA February 8, 2014

    This is a Kii…..

    Without the American Market Simon Cowell is s***!!! They got lucky the US is kind of accepting the UK Xfactor Little mix girls. We barely see it for those remade spice girl cuunts anyway.

    And poor dat @Kelly, I wonder what her next gig will be. Maybe she should just be Beyonces full time assistant/ Blue Ivys nanny!!

  31. KELLY FLOPLAND February 8, 2014

    The US version was a HUGE FLOP anyways. None of the winners/runner-up have slayed the charts or become international superstars like the X Factor UK winners/runner-ups.

  32. DOSSOME February 8, 2014

    Well if kelly got paid $1million to sit in that panel,i’m sure she’ll be fine.I mean who can’t afford her?

  33. Jamie February 8, 2014

    I can’t believe Kelly was paid the least she should got atleast 4 million and she wasted this opportunity by not promoting her album on the show.

  34. cocobutta February 8, 2014

    Ooops. It’s funny how the voice gets bigged up BUT where are the winners from over there??

  35. Truth Tea February 8, 2014

    To be honest i think there is truth in this, the ratings actually picked up this season, but it’s true America love Simon Cowell there is no X Factor without him and he mentioned late last year that he would be returning to the UK X Factor after Gary Barlow decided to leave! The UK X Factor is always going to be the main priority it has produced Global stars, the plan for 2014 was to bring back it’s most succesful panal which was Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole, Louie and Simon so ratings would shoot to an all time high, they did this with Sharon and it worked! The main reason for this is to keep producing Global talent as a lot of these shows are failing to do that now and X Factor UK is still reigning as far as that goes. X Factor is to young in America to not have Simon on the panal so i understand Foxes decision

  36. FutureCIARA February 8, 2014

    FOX is soo shady!

    They will chop the girls without warning!! LMFAO!

  37. kaka February 8, 2014

    KELLY ACTUALLY SAVED THE SHOW THIS YEAR § CAUZ SHE BASICALLY WAS THE FAVORITE JUDGE !!! get your life AND SHE STILL RICHER THAN YOUR ENTIRE FAMILIES YOU MAD HATERS

  38. IV February 8, 2014

    Kelly actually got paid 2.5 millions you dumb idiots smh anything to discredit someone who’s shitting on your fave. Ciara will never have opportunities. B**** can’t even book major mag covers and Kelly has been on 10

  39. thetruth February 8, 2014

    You ppl downing Kelly needs to get a life! Kelly doesn’t need XFActor! XFactor needed Kelly Rowland! That’s why she was asked to do it from the get go… she will do just fine… she will tour and release a new single this yr… not a new album tho…

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