Long-term renewal for 'American Idol', Cowell

FOX has announced details of a long-term deal keeping American Idol at the network - and on the air - through the end of the decade.

The deal with format owners 19 Entertainment and producers FremantleMedia guarantees at least four more seasons of the top-rated show, beginning with the fifth season in January. The agreement provides for an automatic renewal of an additional two seasons beyond that, depending on ratings and profit performance.

Head judge Simon Cowell has been signed for "at least" five more seasons, keeping him with the show until 2009.

19 and Fremantle gain significantly from the new contract: the pair will enjoy a "significantly increased" license fee per season from FOX while 19 will receive an annual payment from Sony BMG, the record company that takes on the winner.

Meanwhile, FOX has agreed to pick up "at least two original shows" produced jointly by 19 and Fremantle over the next five years, in addition to the recently-renewed dancefest So You Think You Can Dance?

For the first time, American Idol will be accompanied by a number of spinoff shows on the FOX Reality Channel and the TV Guide channel.

"We are extremely excited that FOX has recognised the phenomenon of American Idol by providing the unprecedented guarantee of at least four and up to six more seasons of the show," said Simon Fuller, Idol creator and chief exec at 19. "We look forward to working with FOX and our partners at Fremantle to build upon the success of the show and expand the American Idol content and brand into the evolving worlds of internet and mobile content distribution."

As expected, Fuller also confirmed that he had reached an out-of-court settlement with Cowell over The X Factor.