Reality show kingpin Simon Cowell is meeting with CTV execs to hash out plans for a possible Canuck spinoff of The X Factor.
The brash music mogul says there’s more than enough talent to support a Maple Leaf singing contest that he would bankroll and promote.
Cowell made the comments Tuesday afternoon during a whirlwind visit to the broadcaster’s headquarters in downtown Toronto.
The outspoken Brit, who serves as a judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor, says there’s no reason that a Canadian show can’t launch the career of a superstar.
Cowell returns to judge a second season of The X Factor on Sept. 12 on CTV. Britney Spears and Demi Lovato join returning judge L.A. Reid on the panel.
“There are countries in the world that do produce local artists who go on to become superstars and I believe that [can be done] in Canada,” Cowell told reporters Tuesday.
“I don’t believe this attitude of, ‘We’re a smaller country, therefore we can’t compete with the U.K. or America.’ It’s nonsense.”
Last week, Citytv announced it would not renew its talent search show Canada’s Got Talent, and while Fox still enjoys strong numbers for American Idol, CTV cancelled its version in late 2008. CTV also cancelled So You Think You Can Dance Canada after four seasons in fall 2011.
