SIMON COWELL TO DEPART U.S. VERSION OF "THE X FACTOR"

Entertainment Mogul to Return as Judge on "The X Factor UK" and Focus on Continued Global Success of International Formats

The award-winning international phenomenon THE X FACTOR has concluded its domestic run after three seasons, it was announced today by Syco, FremantleMedia North America and Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX).

"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!)," said Simon Cowell. "Last year, for a number of reasons, I had to make a decision to return to the U.K. version of 'The X Factor' in 2014. So for now, I'm back to the U.K. and I want to thank FOX for being an incredible partner and I also want to thank everybody who has supported my shows. America, I'll see you soon!"

"To all of us at FOX, Simon is more than one of the most prolific TV personalities of our time --he's part of our family. A consummate showman and partner, there's no one more passionate or creative than Simon, and we feel so fortunate to have enjoyed such a wonderful, collaborative relationship with him over the past 12 years," said Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "Unfortunately, there is no X FACTOR USA without Simon Cowell, 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."

"'The X Factor' has become a true global hit entertainment format produced locally in 45 countries, and since its launch in 2004, has been watched by more than half a billion people around the world," said Trish Kinane, President of Entertainment Programming and Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America. "The U.S. version of THE X FACTOR has had a great run dominating the social media charts and discovering internationally successful artists, but Simon's return to the U.K. 'X Factor' has been long anticipated. We have long-running partnerships both with FOX and Syco Entertainment and very much look forward to what the future holds for our ongoing relationships with them."

In 2013, Alex & Sierra won Season Three of THE X FACTOR, and during the live shows, the duo reached No. 1 on the iTunes singles chart twice with six singles also breaking into the iTunes Top 20. Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony became international stars after Season Two of THE X FACTOR. Emblem3's first album, "Nothing To Lose," debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Fifth Harmony's EP, "Better Together," debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard chart and reached Top 10 on iTunes in 41 countries, giving them the biggest debut album from any U.S. television competition series in 2012. Fifth Harmony were listed on MTV's "Artist to Watch" for 2014 and also were the voices of Barbie's new anthem, "Anything Is Possible." They are on tour this spring with Demi Lovato, Little Mix and Cher Lloyd. Emblem3's debut album, "Nothing To Lose," reached No. 1 on iTunes in 14 countries.

THE X FACTOR won three TEEN CHOICE 2012 Awards for Reality Competition Show, Breakout Show and Simon Cowell - Male Personality. In 2013, THE X FACTOR won a People's Choice Award for Favorite TV Competition Show and Demi Lovato won for Favorite Celebrity Judge. It also took home seven TEEN CHOICE 2013 Awards, including Reality Competition Show, Simon Cowell - Male Personality, and Emblem3 - Breakout Group, to name a few.

ABOUT SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

Syco Entertainment is one of the world's leading global music, film and television production companies responsible for some of the world's most successful global TV and music franchises. Syco Entertainment is also the world's most successful producer of international talent with Syco Music being the record label home for such diverse international recording artists as Labrinth, One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Little Mix, IL Divo, Emblem3, Fifth Harmony, James Arthur, Ella Henderson and Alex & Sierra. Syco's television assets include the global franchises "The X Factor" and "Got Talent."

Local versions of "The X Factor" are commissioned in 45 territories and around the world, "The X Factor" is now watched by more than a half billion people. The show has increased the average demographic for many broadcasters by up to 250%. The single, "Impossible," from the 2012 U.K. winner James Arthur, became the fastest-selling single of the year, and was the biggest worldwide "X Factor" single ever - selling over 2.5 million copies. Artists discovered by the "X Factor" format have sold more than 150 million records worldwide, including 130 No. 1s and 250 Top 10 records.

In 2010, "The X Factor UK" discovered and put together One Direction, who have since sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and have won countless awards across the globe. One Direction have made U.S. chart history as the first group to ever have their first three albums debut at No. 1. Little Mix's - the first group to ever win "The X Factor" - debut album, "DNA," made history as the highest-charting debut album for a U.K. girl group - even beating the Spice Girls. Leona Lewis has sold over 30 million records and her hit single, "Bleeding Love," reached No. 1 in over 30 countries and was the fastest-selling debut album of all time in the U.K. Lewis is the first British female solo artist to score eight U.K. Top 5 singles.

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids and family entertainment business. As the world's largest independent studio, FremantleMedia's comprehensive global network has operations in 25 countries, creating over 9100 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 400 individual titles. FMNA and its portfolio of companies produce entertaining and innovative scripted and alternative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms. Their slate includes a diverse range of both critically acclaimed and award-winning successes, including AMERICAN IDOL (FOX), "America's Got Talent" (NBC), "Family Feud" (SYN), "Let's Make A Deal" (CBS), "The Price Is Right" (CBS), "The Great Christmas Light Fight," (ABC), "The Tomorrow People" (The CW), "Deadliest Catch" (Discovery), "Married to Medicine" (Bravo), "Ice Road Truckers" (History), "Storage Wars" (A&E), "The Pet Collective" (blip.tv) and the upcoming "Celebrity Name Game" (SYN), among others.