Veteran News Corp. TV executive David Hill is stepping in to oversee Fox’s flagship reality series American Idol and The X Factor. Hill, who serves as Senior EVP of News Corp. after a long tenure as chairman and CEO of Fox Sports, is not a replacement for Fox’s departing alternative programming president Mike Darnell but will take over his duties on Idol and X Factor. Following Darnell’s recent announcement that he was stepping down, there has been a decision-making vacuum on the two shows, with Idol in particular in dire need of someone to oversee its upcoming overhaul following record-low ratings.
Related: Mike Darnell On His Decision To Leave Fox & His Future
Three of the four judges — Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson — already announced they are not coming back. Executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warrick also are not expected to continue, but even that decision has not been formalized, along with the recruitment of new judges, with negotiations with Idol alumna Jennifer Hudson stalled. Hill’s coming on board is expected to help get things moving. It also will shift the way the two shows are run toward a more traditional network/producer relationship, with Hill serving as the network’s point person for the producers.Meanwhile, search for Darnell’s replacement continues, with his successor expected to focus on development. Hill’s recent tasks at News Corp. have included Nat Geo, the launch of Fox Sports Japan and the upcoming launch of Fox Sports 1. He has extensive experience with live events and is said to be passionate about both Idol and X Factor.
Related: Anyone Care Who Won ‘American Idol’?
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
The good news is, neither show could get any worse.
Bring back Keith (it wasn’t his fault he got stuck on a bad year with one worthless judge and a second that wasn’t much better . . . sorry girls!). I say forget a female judge next year. I think most of the voitng is done by females anyway. Forget 4 judges. Too many. too much talking. Personally I’d rather see the kids sing an entire song instead of a abbreviated version. Have 3 judges next year; Keith Urban, Adam Lambert (Clay Aiken if Adam can’t/won’t do it) and Harry Connick. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose at this point.
“He has extensive experience with live events and is said to be passionate about both Idol and X Factor”. He may be the only one who still feels that way. I think a lotta fans don’t feel anything even remotely approaching passion towards either show,but,especially towards Idol. Who in their right mind would feel “passionate” about a show with revolving judges & lowering ratings. Idol is definitely in its’ last years. It’s no longer a question of IF Idol will fall,but,WHEN it will do so.
Wow! An old white guy! If anyone will have their fingers on the pulse of the youth nationwide it’ll be him!
American Idol is saved. Long live Fox!!!
Better a smart and seasoned “old guy” than some vapid young exec who doesn’t know shit. This whole notion that in order to reach a young audience you need to have equally young execs is completely bogus.
Even the mighty David Hill won’t be able to save these shows, especially in its current formats as both are destined to fail sooner rather than later and about damn time to boot. FOX needs something fresh, not stale.
Glade to see veteran News Corp. TV executive David Hill will step in and oversee Fox’s flagship reality series American Idol and The X Factor. Idol & X Factor due need a overhaul on the show format, especially the ideal on bring on pasts Idol winners and finalist, to show so the public what happen to their career after Idol and to show the new Idol contested what it takes to win Idol, and changing the format of bring on artists that take advantage of the show exposure to enhance their own career, especially artists like Jlo, who career was dead prior to Idol, with being fired by Sony Records in 2010, her clothing line “Sweet Face” went bankrupt the same year, and her movie career in a hugs slump, and then Idol came around and pick up her career to what it is now, but she is still struggling in her music & movie career again with no major contacts now, or in the future, that’s why she fighting to come back to Idol, to bring back to career?
I like nat geo.
Lol people hating on old white guys
They can try to resuscitate all they want – the format is dying.
Well, well, well…So the Aussie knight in shining armor returns on yet another project to save the day!
Does anyone recall his last talent show idea, a program called Fast Track to Fame that aired on the Speed Channel about three years ago? Of course not. His little idea about a show finding talent at America’s Nascar racetracks crashed and burned and was quickly forgotten.
But now he’s got the keys to two shiny cars that either lost their luster years ago, or fell flat at the start. Best of luck to Mr. Hill. His track record resuscitating the Speed network and Nat Geo speaks volumes. In fact, the Speed channel was rescued so successfully that it won’t exist in a few months. And Nat Geo’s best days were courtesy of its current management, and previously, with its founding president, Ms. Ong.
But if there’s one thing you can count on, it’s the spin of the mastermind with the funny accent. Bravo to the Aussie!
With Darnell, Warwick and Nigel out the door Idol is already in MUCH better shape as they’ve been suffocating that show more and more every season. When Nigel began appearing, as if the audience wanted to see him, it was a sign of things to come.
Let the negotiations with Hudson stall and fail completely. She’s NOT popular! Look at the ratings for Smash, look at the fact she’s NEVER had a top 20 single, look at the fact she’s known now for weight loss commercials. Just pick likable successful singers. 3 person panel: Kylie Minogue, Josh Grobin and Pharrell.
X-Factor is a lost cause. They need to get ride of everyone (Simon included) and wipe the slate clean. It’s a mess.
Promote Tom Sheets, develop talent from within, he was the man behind much of Darnell’s success. Taking nothing away from Mike but Tom deserves his share.
Can you recite the Star Spangled Banner, veritas? Think you’re so clever, huh?