LOS ANGELES, July 16 — Television personality and music mogul Simon Cowell will buy Sony Music Entertainment's stake in their joint venture, Syco, which is home to hit talent shows like Got Talent and The X Factor, the music conglomerate said yesterday.
The rights to the television formats created by Cowell, will be transferred to a new company, Syco Entertainment, and will be held by him.
The deal is a result of a buyback option maintained by Cowell. Sony Music said it will, however, retain music assets that include show alumni like One Direction and Camila Cabello.
The partnership that lasted more than a decade, expanded the Got Talent brand to 76 local versions across the world with The X Factor airing in more than 130 territories.
“At this particular contractual crossroads, it was simply the right thing for Simon to take control of his TV assets and propel his company in a new direction,” Sony Music Group Chairman Rob Stringer said.
Cowell became a household name as a judge on American Idol with his harsh criticism of the singers auditioning for the show and was dubbed Mr Nasty. — Reuters
