Success already banked
The Mastermind's power play: Simon Cowell set to destroy American Idol with XFactor
It's still five months away from the premiere of Simon Cowell's X Factor USA, but the host has already blown competing programming away with a $267 million advertising deal.
According to British reports, it's the largest pre-premiere advertising revenue of any American program ever. Pepsi is reportedly one of the big brands to sign on with the show; American Idol, coincidentally, is backed by Coca-Cola.
Cowell has a 14-percent share in the deal, according to reports, and so has set himself up to make an easy $40 million before the show even airs.
X Factor UK is wildly popular and launched the career of Leona Lewis, among others. Unlike it's soon-to-be American competitor, American Idol, X Factor judges also mentor each contestant. Rumored judges for the American version include Cowell (who will be a judge on both sides of the Atlantic simultaneously), Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul, Tommy Mattola and Cheryl Cole. But the show's format allows only four judges, and no one's confirmed outside of Cowell.
Tell us: Do you think X Factor will destroy American Idol in the ratings?