In 1998, after seeing many talented recording artists such as Annie Lennox to the top of the charts, Simon Fuller decided to try his hand at yet another branch of entertainment, reality television.
He soon sold his new concept for a talent show, giving no-named hopefuls the chance at stardom, singing there way to there own record deal in front of millions of viewers in the UK on the show now known as “Pop Idol”.
After three highly successful seasons in the United Kingdom, Fuller decided that it was time to introduce his idea to the American networks. In 2001, Simon sold the rights to the Americanized version of “Pop Idol” to Fox Television. In 2002, “American Idol” debuted to millions of viewers nation wide.
Since it’s first season, American Idol has reportedly brought in over $2.5 billion in merchandising, music sales and paid sponsership.
In 2005, Simon Fuller sold part of his production group, 19 Entertainment, to a sister company for over $200 million in cash and stock, making him one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 most powerful people in 2008.
In January 2010, look for Fuller’s lastest project, a reality TV show titled “If I Can Dream” which has a group of hopefuls being filmed 24/7 living in a house together while attempting to find success in there selected creative fields. As everything else Simon Fuller has created, the show is sure to be a hit.