Universal Music in Album Deal with "American Idol"

Sony, which owns Syco, the production company formed by Simon Cowell, the judge who has now left "American Idol," has the right to release albums recorded by stars of "The X-Factor" in the U.K. and will take on a similar role in the U.S.

"With Idol celebrating its tenth season I wanted to inject some new power and weight behind our brand," says Fuller. "It is exciting to have the world's biggest show partnered with the world's biggest music company."

In the nine years that American Idol has been on the air, Sony has sold more than 100 million CDs by the performers that have emerged on the show such as Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry. The label has also sold more than 120 million digital downloads.