POP IDOL - Relaunch in 2007?

Two networks in the UK are trying to bring Pop Idol back to the air.

Although American Idol has aired five seasons, Pop Idol only aired two seasons, and then was replaced by ITV with The X Factor.

On October 1st 2006, ITV's licence to produce Pop Idol in the UK ran out and it's creator Simon Fuller, with co-producers FremanleMedia and 19 Television, began talking to UK broadcasters about reviving the show in a revamped format, on a different channel.

Channel Five and Sky One are battling with ITV to re-launch it.

The return of the show would have “less emphasis on the judges and more on the performers,” according to the SUN Newspaper. It will not, however, feature Simon Cowell, who is too busy with American idol and X Factor.

A Sky executive says “Pop Idol is a great brand and when it’s clear what programme is available, we’ll look at it,” while an ITV exec told the paper, “We have made it clear that we want to be included in the pitch round for Idol and we have been told we will be.”

ITV also wish to keep the show, and run it during the summer, instead of Love Island.