http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118013595.html?ref=sharethis
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2010/01/tca-winter-2010-press-tour-fox-tbs.html

Simon Cowell is leaving "American Idol."

Fox execs and Cowell himself on Monday confirmed the acerbic judge's decision to exit the hit talent competish in order to help launch his long-awaited U.S. version of Brit TV sensation "The X Factor."

As now planned, "X Factor" will bow in fall 2011 on Fox , which means Cowell will be off the air for 16 months.

The real drama this season on "American Idol," even before its bow, has centered on the fate of Cowell.

The show is locked on Fox through at least 2011, but Cowell's megabucks deal with it expires at the end of this season.

At stake, of course, is the future of "Idol," perhaps the most important TV franchise in history.

"We reached an agreement formally at about half past 10 this morning," said Cowell, who signed his deal in front of critics at the TV Critics Assn. press tour. "Where we have come to and agreed is that X Factor will launch in America in 2011, with me judging the show and exec producing the show. Because of that this will be my last season on 'American Idol,' this year."

i dont get it, X Factor will basically just be a continuation of Idol, and clearly Idol is dying so why make a show that's basically the same thing?

i am glad i'm over idol.

It's the cycle of life. American Idol continued from the early death of Pop Idol, and possibly, The X Factor will continue from waning of American Idol. Of course, American Idol reached it's peak seasons ago so it can only go downhill from here. There will be something bigger and better to take it's place, could this be it?

I did not think Simon would be leaving America Idol

You might as well stick a fork in AI once Simon splits - he's the real star of the show.

yeah they should just cancel it after next season, no one will watch without Simon, especially if X Factor is coming.

Ugh.

If Simon goes, then I'll probably be gone too. Ellen DeGeneres does not an interesting judge make, I'm still lukewarm towards Kara, and Randy is right damn annoying without Paula and Simon to even him out. They screwed up a pretty efficient team of the original three plus Ryan, but it's whatever.

A.I. may have survived the departure of Paula but I very much doubt it will survive the departure of Simon. Like JT said they had a good thing going with the original judges and they've let it slip away.

True, but this is like the 8th or 9th season. You couldn't expect all the original judges to stay forever.

I choose to be optimistic. I think as long as they get a good replacement, the show will continue.

I will definitely say this though: only two episodes in and I don't miss Paula one bit!