Simon Cowell has inked a major deal with Netflix for a new series aimed at discovering the next big band, according to a new report.
The music mogul, 64, has been vocal about his quest to replicate the success of One Direction, who found fame on 2010’s X Factor when he mentored them.
The show, aptly titled Simon Cowell: Midas Touch, is reportedly in the final stages of negotiation with the streaming platform.
A source told The Sun: “Netflix is the perfect place for his new show and Box To Box, who are producing the series, have worked with them before.
“Simon and his team have been working so hard on getting the show off the ground and a final deal is so close now.”
The choice of the show's name has raised eyebrows among industry insiders, reflecting Cowell's confidence in his talent scouting abilities.
The source added: “Simon knows he is the best at what he does and calling his show Midas Touch gives a new meaning to blowing your own trumpet.”
The Standard has contacted Simon Cowell’s rep for comment.
News about a potential partnership with Netflix shouldn’t come as a surprise as Cowell launched the global talent search earlier this month.
Auditions are scheduled to take place in Newcastle on July 4 and 5, Liverpool on July 7 and 8, Dublin on July 28 and 29 and London on August 1, 2 and 3. Hopefuls can sign up at simonneedsyou.com.
His search for the next big thing comes weeks after Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan appeared to have been left less than impressed by his recent remarks about One Direction as neither are now following him on social media.
The That’s What Makes You Beautiful hitmakers have unfollowed him on Instagram and are also not following Cowell on their Twitter pages.
While Cowell, Payne and Horan had appeared on good terms over the year, this now no longer seems the case following Cowell’s appearance on Steven Bartlett’s Diary of A CEO podcast earlier this week.
During the chat, Cowell admitted that he "regretted” not keeping the One Direction name.
He confirmed that although One Direction are on a hiatus, the members continue to own the name, meaning he is unable to profit from them.
"That's the problem, could have made an animation or whatever but when you give an artist the name, it's not yours and that's my only regret," he told the Dragon’s Den star.
Cowell then went on to offer to buy the name from the lads, saying: "So if you're listening, I'll buy it back from you. But that's the only thing I do regret. If one of the band members, for whatever reason say they don't want to tour, it can stop the others touring, so if it was me who owned the name, it wouldn't be a problem."
