Fox last week was near a deal to renew “American Idol,” even though judge Simon Cowell hasn’t reached a new agreement with the show, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network is currently looking at ordering three more seasons beyond the current deal which ends in 2011. The talk of renewal comes even as the speculation grows that Cowell will leave the program after the current season in favor of bringing his British competition series “X-Factor” to the U.S.

–Elizabeth Jensen