Syco Entertainment, often known as simply Syco (and stylised as SYCO), is a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and marketing of music, television, film and digital content. It employs a staff of more than 30 in offices in London and Los Angeles^[1] and manages a string of high profile television and music brands through partnerships with Sony Music labels and its TV production partner, Fremantle Media. Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment each own 50% of the business which is looking to grow its global portfolio of music and television brands over the next few years. Charles Garland, the former chief executive of Crystal Entertainment and chief operator of Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment is Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.^[2] Retail billionaire Philip Green, who is a close friend of Cowell, serves as an advisor to the company.^[3] Sporting executive and Vice-Chairman of West Ham United FC, Karren Brady also serves as an advisor to the company.

Syco TV[link]

Syco Television, often shortened to Syco TV (and stylised as SYCOtv), primarily operates in the UK and U.S. where, in 2011, it produces around 200 hours of primetime television for FOX, NBC, ITV1 and ITV2 networks. Its key franchises are The X Factor and Got Talent.

[edit] The X Factor

The X Factor, which launched in September 2004, has been the #1 show in the UK since 2008. In September 2011, Syco launched The X Factor USA, which averaged 12 million viewers and a 4.0 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic in its first season, leading FOX to nightly wins on Wednesdays and Thursdays and topping all other fall season reality competition.^[4]

Internationally, The X Factor can be seen in almost 30 countries including major markets like Germany, France, the Netherlands and Australia.

[edit] Got Talent

America's Got Talent matched a series high 4.6 rating among adults 18-49 in the summer of 2011 for its sixth season. Since launching in 2006, America's Got Talent has consistently been the most watched show of the summer in the U.S. and topped the ratings in the key adults 18-49 demographic.^[5]

Britain's Got Talent consistently tops UK ratings when it is broadcast in April, May and June. In 2009, nearly 20 million people (one third of the UK population) tuned in to the series 3 final to see Diversity crowned winners.^[6]

Got Talent has been even more successful internationally than The X Factor and is now on air in almost 40 countries including the key markets mentioned above and now China.

Other shows[link]

Syco produces other shows outside its key brands. In 2011, new series Red or Black? was met with mixed reaction in the UK and ITV have hinted that it may not be renewed.^[7] Syco were also behind American Inventor which ran for two seasons on ABC and the unsuccessful Celebrity Duets on Fox. In addition to series, Syco also produce music and entertainment specials. This includes I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story, which broke ratings records in the U.S. on TV Guide network ^[8] and scored 10 million viewers on ITV1 in the UK.^[9] Syco also produced Take That: For the Record when Take That reformed and in 2010, the company produced a special episode of Piers Morgan's Life Stories, which focused on The X Factor judge Cheryl Cole and drew the series' best ratings to date with nearly 8 million viewers.^[9]

Current productions[link]

• The X Factor (2004–present)
• The Xtra Factor (2004–present)
• America's Got Talent (2006–present)
• Britain's Got Talent (2007–present)
• Britain's Got More Talent (2007–present)
• Piers Morgan's Life Stories (special episodes, 2010–present)
• Red or Black? (2011–present)
• The X Factor USA (2011–present)

Syco Music[link]

Simon Cowell, founder of Syco.

Syco Music has offices in London and Los Angeles and is home to a dozen artists. Syco has the exclusive right to sign winners and finalists of The X Factor and Got Talent. Susan Boyle's debut album, I Dreamed a Dream, has sold over 9 million copies, making it one of the best selling releases of the last decade and Syco's most successful release to date.^[10] Between 2004 and 2009, Il Divo achieved four multi-million selling albums ^[11] and in 2007, Leona Lewis became one of the most successful talent show winners when her debut single, "Bleeding Love", propelled the album Spirit to 9 million global sales.^[12]

Syco's original base is in London and it has enjoyed most success in the UK market. From 2004 to date, the label has had 22 UK #1 singles.^[13][14] From 2004 to the end of 2009, the label achieved 13 #1 albums.^[15] Factoring in releases under predecessor label S Records, Syco/S achieved 20 #1 albums in the 2000-2009 period, more than any other imprint in the UK, including far larger operations like Columbia Records (17), Warner Bros. Records (16) and Polydor Records (14). Additionally, the label has achieved 7 top 10 U.S. albums since 2006.

In 2010, Syco began diversifying by adding producer/singer-songwriter Labrinth,^[16] He also set up his own imprint, Odd Child, in conjunction with Syco. Savan Kotecha, who had been writing for Syco acts for several years, also became an A&R Director and set up a joint venture, Kanani Songs.^[17] Syco also began forming closer partnerships with other Sony Music Entertainment UK labels. For the first time, Syco entered into an agreement with Columbia Records that would see them work together to launch the career of an X Factor winner - Matt Cardle.^[18] Similar arrangements were made for Olly Murs, Rebecca Ferguson and Ronan Parke, with Epic Records and Alexandra Burke with RCA Records.

Syco Music is run by Sonny Takhar, a former Head of Marketing for RCA Records who has served as Managing Director of both S Records and Syco Music since their formation. Tim Byrne is Creative Director. David Gray is Senior Vice President, A&R and Mark Hardy is Marketing Director. Simon Jones is SYCO Music’s PR Consultant.

While experiencing success for several of its artists, Syco has come under constant scrutiny from fans for its decisions in regards to its artists' careers. Most notably Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. Syco have been blamed for Lewis' second album not reaching the success of her first due to poor management, single choices, six month periods between singles, lack of promotion, release dates and only releasing two singles. Fans state similar factors as the reasons why Alexandra Burke has not found international success.

Current artists[link]

• Leona Lewis (joint U.S. deal with RCA Records)
• Olly Murs (joint UK deal with Epic Records)
• Rebecca Ferguson (joint UK deal with Epic/RCA Records, joint U.S. deal with Columbia Records)
• One Direction (joint U.S deal with Columbia Records)
• Little Mix
• Cher Lloyd (joint U.S. deal with Epic Records)
• Susan Boyle (joint U.S. deal with Columbia Records)
• Jackie Evancho (joint U.S. deal with Columbia Records)
• Labrinth
• Il Divo
• Andrew Johnston
• Melanie Amaro (joint U.S. deal with Epic Records)
• Chris Rene (joint U.S. deal with Epic Records)
• Jonathan and Charlotte
• Molly Rainford
• Ryan O'Shaughnessy

Previous artists[link]

• Gareth Gates (2002–2006, dropped/left to expand)
• Steve Brookstein (2004–2005, dropped)
• Bianca Ryan (2006–2008, dropped)
• Angelis (2006–2007, disbanded)
• Leon Jackson (2007–2009, dropped)
• Same Difference (2007–2009, dropped)
• Rhydian (2007–2010, left to continue career after 3 albums)
• Escala (2008–2010, left to join Sony BMG)
• Shayne Ward (2005–2011, dropped)
• Joe McElderry (2009–2011, dropped)
• Westlife (1998–2011, left)
• Ronan Parke (2011–2012, dropped)
• Jai McDowall (2011–2012, dropped)
• Matt Cardle (2011–2012, dropped)

In December 2011, Cowell had finalised a deal with Sony in relating with Syco. A new U.S. label has been reported and Cowell is considering setting up an Syco U.S., which would fund more money in the U.S., with Syco artists. However, many of the artists signed to Syco currently have U.S. deals with other Sony labels previously.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Syco Tv at IMDb
• Syco UK/US A&R team contact list