Britney Spears' Return As A Judge On The X Factor's Third Season Is In Major Doubt
Nov. 1 2012, Published 4:00 a.m. ET
By Jon Boon - RadarOnline.com Reporter
Britney Spears may have done well on her first live show on The X Factor on Wednesday night, but the chances of her returning as a judge next season are looking slimmer by the day, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.
The Fox talent competition is looking to reduce production costs next season with the first cut being the judges' salaries, and Britney, 30, is looking for a pay increase rather than a decrease when her contract expires at the end of the second season.
"Producers were hoping to pull in between 15-20 million viewers but the show hasn’t reached those expectations and in a recent episode that clashed with the World Series only 5.7 million watched," a show insider tells RadarOnline.com. "Those numbers add up to cost cutting and Britney will be expendable.
“So, considering Fox has already renewed The X Factor for a third season, producers will be looking to spend less on the production of the show, including the judges' salaries.
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“Britney, who was signed on a one-year deal, is the first person who will be expected to have her salary chopped. She is on a $15 million contract, which is absurd given that there's been no huge surge in the ratings.
“Problem is, when Britney signed that contract she expected to make more if an extension for a third season was agreed. That won’t be the case now, and it is highly unlikely Britney will accept a pay decrease,” the insider revealed.
"It just doesn't make sense to spend all that money on Britney when Simon Cowell will undoubtedly be able to find another high-profile judge to replace her at a fraction of the cost."
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