Haute 100 LA Update: Simon Cowell Breaks Guinness World Record

Simon Cowell is taking names and breaking records — Guinness world records, that is.

The super-producer’s Got Talent franchise officially became the world’s most successful reality TV format, and thus found its home Guinness Book of World Records.

The format, which Cowell created, launched in the U.K. in 2007 and is now broadcast in 58 countries. The show has, of course,  been adapted for each locale including the most recent additions of Iceland and Brazil.

The producer’s Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia initially made the announcement before Alistair Richards, the President of Guinness World Records, confirmed the news that Got Talent was the new record-holder, putting another British series, Strictly Come Dancing, into second place.

In a statement, Cowell, who also created the adapted formats of X-Factor, currently sits on the judging panel of the U.K.’s Got Talent and once at on the judging panel of another reality show – American Idol – said in a statement: “I am very proud that Got Talent is a homegrown British show. We owe its success to a group of very talented producers all over the world who have made this happen. And of course amazing talent.”

Britain’s Got Talent has had eight hit seasons of viewership, while America’s Got Talent, the longest running local version of the format, is in its ninth season; the last series attracted peak audiences of more than 11 million viewers. Season 9 will make its debut on May 27, 2014.

The show is responsible for launching the careers of global superstars like Susan Boyle. 

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