New channels: Fuller in talks with BSkyB

The man behind the Pop Idol craze has been in talks with BSkyB to discuss possible involvement in producing Sky's planned new music channels.

Simon Fuller has reportedly earned £20m from the recent American Idol, after attracting record ratings of 20m viewers to Rupert Murdoch's Fox Network in the US.

The three new channels are penned for launch before Easter of next year, and aim to cash in on the recent successes of other channels launched by Emap and MTV.

It is hoped that Fuller's commercial pop influence will attract viewers, however Sky are said to want to keep control over ownership and content.

A BSkyB spokesman declined to comment on any dealings with Fuller, but did say: "We continue to talk to a wide range of people across all areas of the music industry and no deals have yet been struck."