ITV’s planned revival of the popular singing competition The X Factor is facing significant challenges related to costs, casting, and format changes as negotiations continue ahead of the show’s anticipated return later this year.

The program, which originally aired from 2004 until 2018 and was created by Simon Cowell, enjoyed massive viewership during its peak but saw declining ratings in its final seasons. Now, eight years after its last broadcast, ITV and the production company Talkback Thames remain at odds over the financial terms of the new deal, with unresolved discussions concerning the fee to be paid by ITV to broadcast the series. A substantial portion of this fee will go to Cowell, who retains ownership of the format and exerts significant creative control.

Sources familiar with the talks highlight that money remains the central sticking point, echoing longstanding tensions involving ITV, Cowell’s team, and the production company. One insider described the current negotiations as fraught with “lots of big ideas but little being agreed on,” underscoring ongoing disagreements. At the center of the dispute is balancing quality and cost, particularly as ITV confronts tighter financial constraints and a reduced advertising revenue environment compared to the show’s original run.

A further complication for the revival involves casting. Notably, Cheryl Tweedy, a former high-profile judge on The X Factor, has signed on to The Voice, a competing singing contest now also aired on ITV. This move has denied The X Factor access to one of its previously popular mentors, unsettling producers and fans alike. The Voice, which switched from the BBC to ITV in 2017, has sparked rivalry between the shows, with industry insiders noting attempts to leverage public perceptions of The Voice’s standing as a tactic to influence negotiations and increase costs for The X Factor.

Simon Cowell is reportedly unlikely to return as a judge, citing the demanding nature of live shows and his focus on other projects, including a Netflix documentary series. However, insiders speculate he might still play a behind-the-scenes role to help tailor the show to appeal to younger audiences increasingly consuming content via social media. Discussions are underway about adjusting the format to feature fewer live shows and more cost-effective pre-recorded auditions, as well as potentially incorporating more provocative moments designed for viral sharing in digital platforms.

While ITV is reportedly interested in incorporating social media influencers as judges to draw younger viewers, Talkback Thames prefers sticking to established celebrity names, further complicating casting decisions. The network and producers acknowledge that with Saturday night television struggling to attract audiences, the revived series will likely operate on a reduced budget compared to its mid-2010s heyday. Previous reports estimated individual judge salaries reached £1.5 million per series, with some exceeding £10 million combined for certain high-profile personalities; such figures are unlikely to be sustainable under current financial conditions.

Despite these challenges, supporters of the relaunch emphasize The X Factor’s legacy of launching successful artists, including Leona Lewis, One Direction, and Little Mix, all of whom secured record deals through Cowell’s Syco Music label. Advocates argue that the show still holds potential to discover new talent, a goal they say has eluded rival programs like The Voice.

For ITV, reviving The X Factor represents a balancing act between maintaining production quality, managing budgets, and reimagining a once-dominant format for a changed viewing landscape. With negotiations ongoing, the extent to which the show can recapture its previous success remains uncertain.