Nigel Hall Appointed Global Head of TV for Syco Entertainment

LONDON, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Simon Cowell and Charles Garland are delighted to announce that Nigel Hall has been appointed as Global Head of TV for Syco Entertainment. 

Nigel was one of the pioneers of Syco eight years ago and has helped develop The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, which is currently the No.1 television format in the world,  into the hugely successful brands they have become.

Nigel's appointment is an important step in securing Syco as one of the world's most successful media companies, with creative focus at its heart.

He has been a key figure in developing recently commissioned new formats and will also oversee plans for the development of Syco's US expansion. 

Simon Cowell said: 'Nigel's earnt this role, the company now needs a global head of TV and I am absolutely thrilled he has accepted the position. He is one of the most talented TV executives I have ever met.'

Nigel Hall said: 'Having started at Syco eight years ago with Simon, we are now the custodians of two of the world's most successful brands. Now, I look forward to further enhancing our position as one of the world's leading media companies.'

Worldwide CEO Charles Garland said: 'Since my arrival last year, we have put considerable investment into the development of new shows, with Red Or Black? being the first of these to emerge. Nigel will spearhead this continued expansion.'

About SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

Syco Entertainment is a leading global music, television, film and digital production company. Syco is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, with offices in London and Los Angeles. Syco's television and music assets include leading global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent, as well as artists such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Il Divo, Cher Lloyd, One Direction & Labrinth. 

The X Factor launched in 2004 in the UK. Airing on ITV1, The X Factor has been the number one show in the UK for eight years, with the 2010 finale achieving a peak of 21.2 million viewers, and a 65% share. The 2011 finale, held at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience of 12,000, was the most watched TV show of the year with a bigger audience than the Royal Wedding. The X Factor launched in the US in the fall of 2011 on Fox, immediately becoming the number one unscripted show of the season.  The X Factor also gave Fox victory in the November "sweep" among adults aged 18 to 49 for only the second time in the network's history. The US version airs in 162 countries.

Local versions of The X Factor are now produced in more than 35 territories.

Around the world, The X Factor has increased the average demographic for many broadcasters by up to 250%. In Denmark, it has been the number one show for the last four years, peaking with an 80% share of the audience. In Colombia, it has consistently ranked number one, with a 75% share of the audience. In countries such as Greece, Hungary, The Netherlands, France and Italy, The X Factor consistently delivers a 50% to 65% share of viewing audiences.

Artists discovered by The X Factor format have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, including 110 number ones, 270 top 10 records, and 501 top 50 releases.

Got Talent launched in the USA in 2006, as America's Got Talent, reawakening the nation's passion for variety entertainment and becoming an award-winning ratings hit across the globe. In the US, America's Got Talent has been the highest-rated series on NBC for the last four seasons, reaching average audiences of up to 16.4 million viewers. The 2011 series achieved the highest-rated launch of the show's six seasons so far. The US version airs in 125 countries.

Britain's Got Talent launched in the UK in 2007, on ITV1, immediately becoming the nation's highest-rated new entertainment programme of the year, with a peak audience of 11.6 million viewers. The show has consistently beaten ITV1's prime time average audience by up to 120% for all viewers, and by up to 191% for young adults. A peak audience of 18.3 million viewers saw Susan Boyle finish a narrow second to dance troupe Diversity in the 2009 final of Britain's Got Talent. The event ranked as the UK's number one entertainment programme of the decade and the highest-rated show of 2009. The 2011 series ranked as the number one show in its time slot, beating its nearest competitor by an astonishing 500% for all viewers.

Local versions of the show have been produced in 49 territories so far.  Around the world, China's Got Talent delivered a record-breaking 575 million viewers for the 2011 final, while Australia's Got Talent was the most watched show on Australian television in 2011. In countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden and The Netherlands, Got Talent has boosted broadcasters' prime time audience shares by as much as 304%.

SOURCE Syco Entertainment