Fox and "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell are hammering out a deal to launch an American version of the British "X Factor" -- while locking in Cowell as an "Idol" judge for two more years,
through the 2011-12 season.
Cowell, in the final year of his contract on "Idol," has been open about his desire to bring to the U.S. the mega-hit British format that he created. The deal
has not been finalized, but Cowell could earn about $50 million a season for "Idol" and, in success, "X Factor" might bring him an additional $50 million a cycle.
"X Factor," is a music
talent competition series, in which aspiring singers compete for a recording contract and are mentored by one of four judges.