Universal Music Group partners with Simon Cowell’s Syco to offer X Factor Israel winner a record deal

Simon Cowell

Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with Israel-based TV channel RESHET 13, Fremantle Media and Syco Entertainment for the fourth series of The X Factor in Israel.

The partnership will see the winner of The X Factor Israel ink a global recording deal with UMG Israel, in collaboration with Simon Cowell-founded entertainment company Syco.

The news follows UMG’s expansion of its operations into Israel in June last year.

It also comes nine months after Simon Cowell bought out Sony Music‘s stake in Syco Entertainment, which owns TV formats Got Talent and The X Factor.

As part of that deal, Sony Music retained the rights to Syco’s existing music assets, including recordings by the likes of Fifth Harmony (and Camila Cabello), One Direction, Little Mix, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and many more.

Set to air on Israel’s RESHET 13 in 2021, the next season of The X Factor Israel  will see Cowell join its judging panel alongside popular Israel-based singer-songwriters Aviv Geffen, Eurovision winner Netta Barzliai and singer Margalit Tzanani.

As well as propelling a winner to a record deal with UMG, the show will also select Israel’s next representative for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022.

Artists discovered on Simon Cowell’s TV formats to date have sold more than 600 million records.

“This partnership with the X Factor is the first of several major projects that UMG Israel will launch in the coming months as we look to expand the profile of Israeli music around the world.”

Yoram Mokady, Universal Music Israel

Yoram Mokady, Managing Director Universal Music Israel, said: “We are proud that this collaboration between leading international brands is taking place in Israel, and I am sure it will have a substantial impact on discovering, nurturing and exposing the next wave of successful Israeli stars who can succeed on an international stage.

“This partnership with the X Factor is the first of several major projects that UMG Israel will launch in the coming months as we look to expand the profile of Israeli music around the world.”

“I don’t recall there ever being a greater prize for winning a music show in Israel.”

Ami Glam, Reshet 13

Ami Glam, CCO Reshet 13 added: “I don’t recall there ever being a greater prize for winning a music show in Israel.

“On the one hand to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest and on the other hand, to sign an international recording contract with a huge global company like Universal Music Group.

“It is every artist’s dream, whether they are undiscovered or well known.”Music Business Worldwide