Simon Cowell says will leave American Idol in 2010

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell said on Monday he was leaving the top-rated Fox TV show at the end of his contract in May 2010.

Cowell told TV reporters in Los Angeles that he would be launching his own The X Factor" singing competition show on News Corp's Fox in 2011. "American Idol," whose 9th season opens on Tuesday, is the most-watched TV show the United States. (Reuters)