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America Doesn’t Get Talent: ‘X Factor’ Canceled, ‘Idol’ Winds Down

American Idol X Factor Ratings Cancelled Fox Winding Down

Interest in Fox’s two flagship talent shows has been waning, and now the network is cutting its losses. Simon Cowell’s The X Factor has been canceled outright, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, Digital Spy says American Idol, now in its 13th season, is “winding down.” The latter cite a conference call with 21st Century Fox president Chase Carey, who says that ratings are “falling faster than we hoped.”

Eyes on December’s X Factor finale were down by a whopping 45 percent from the year before. That, combined with Cowell’s return to the original U.K. version of his show, was apparently enough to ensure that a fourth U.S. season will not come at all. Fox is naturally more hesitant to nix Idol right away, though — Carey reportedly referred to the show as being in “transition,” and the show is trying out a new gimmick this month.

On February 18, the network will air a special three-night run of Randy Jackson’s “Boot Camp,” in which former competitors Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry will play counselors to the incoming crop of would-be stars. As previously announced, Jackson, who served as judge for 12 seasons, is back as mentor in 2014. The Season 13 judging panel comprises Harry Connick, Jr., Jennifer Lopez, and Keith Urban. Ryan Seacrest hosts.