It looks like "American Idol" creator and co-producer 19 Entertainment is losing two Simons in one week.
Days after Simon Cowell announced plans to leave "Idol" for "The X Factor" (which isn’t part of 19), Simon Fuller has announced he’s departing 19 himself.
But he’s not going far.
Fuller – who founded 19 and served as its CEO — is starting his own company, one in which 19 owner CKX has an option to invest. Fuller will also remain as executive producer of "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," getting a share of profits from the shows in return.
He’ll also serve as a consultant to CKX and launch the new "online-led" show "If I Can Dream."
Robert F.X. Sillerman, chairman and CEO of CKX called Fuller “truly one of the most creative geniuses in the entertainment industry today. This new arrangement guarantees that Simon and CKX will be working together for many, many years to come…. Going forward Simon will be free to focus his creative energy on developing new ideas and projects."
Fuller returned the love, saying he’s glad he had the chance to work with Sillerman since his company bought 19 has given him the chance to learn from "one of the world’s truly great business brains.
"This is the beginning of another important chapter in my life," Fuller added. "As an entrepreneur I feel I am about to enter my prime years and starting a new entertainment company at this moment fills me with great excitement."
