News Corp's David Hill to Oversee FOX's AMERICAN IDOL and THE X FACTOR

News Corp's David Hill will now oversee American Idol and The X Factor for FOX, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A source tells THR that FOX's leaders "see a strong transition in David. These shows are well-oiled machines in some cases."

Read the original report here.

Hill will act as FOX's network go-to for the producers of both shows while the search will continue to replace alternative programming head Mike Darnell, who left last month. Hill has run FOX Sports Media Group, helped to launch FOX Sports Japan and more. He is known for his "tough" approach to deal-making.

The latest news on the American Idol front is the reported Exit of executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick after this season, although no formal announcement has been made, and negotiations have yet to begin with FOX.

Lythgoe and Warwick were with American Idol when it launched in 2002. Before that, the pair also worked on the UK's POP IDOL. Lythgoe has also produced So You Think You Can Dance and other programs. The duo will likely continue to work with FOX on other projects in the future.

Judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson have also left the show, with Keith Urban's return still in the balance. An all-alumni panel for season 13 is still under consideration, with singer Jennifer Hudson, the show's first winner, up for one of the slots. There hasn't been any confirmation as to whether Hudson's deal is dry or not.

As for The X Factor, it was recently announced that Simon Cowell will be surrounded by women for the show's third season this fall. Grammy Award-winning artist Kelly Rowland and international pop star Paulina Rubio join him and Demi Lovato as judges on the hit singing competition series.