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M-Net gets X Factor US, MasterChef SA

Cape Town – Reality TV meanie Simon Cowell's new show The X Factor US is coming to South Africa.

M-Net has acquired the broadcasting rights to the show, with the pay broadcaster also planning a local version of the cooking reality show MasterChef.

Simon Cowell is back on American television from September in a producing and judging role on the US version of Britain's popular reality show The X Factor.

M-Net has acquired the rights to air The X Factor US from early October.

In July Cowell stated that The X Factor US will be bigger than American Idol in the ratings – currently America's most watched TV show.

Joining Cowell at the X Factor judging table is cooky former American Idol judge Paula Abdul.

Super-weight titles

"The X Factor US will be joining the list of M-Net super-weight titles on the magic mantle," M-Net confirmed in a press release.

"Bringing The X Factor US to M-Net viewers once again proves that the channel has become the home of blockbuster reality shows," said Pierre Cloete, M-Net and M-Net HD channel head.

"Following the success of American Idol we can't wait to see the entertainment that The X Factor US has in store [for us]."

MasterChef SA coming to M-Net

M-Net investigated the possibility of a local version of The X Factor, according to sources familiar with the matter, but told Channel24 that the licensing of the format of the highly popular show is proving too expensive for now.

Instead, M-Net is first going to produce MasterChef South Africa, a local version of the popular MasterChef Australia currently shown on M-Net.

"M-Net is ready to do a local MasterChef while viewers can get to know The X Factor. Then a local version of The X Factor could follow," said an insider.

"It is true that M-Net has approached 14 production companies to pitch for a possible version of MasterChef," said M-Net.

"We are still looking at a number of possibilities, including The X Factor. M-Net has become the home of top mainstream reality shows and we are constantly evaluating possibilities," the broadcaster told Channel24.

Thinus Ferreira is an expert in the television industry. Read his blog here. 

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