Simon Cowell named top TV earner

Simon Cowell has been named world's top TV earner with earnings of 61 million pounds in the year upto June 2013 by Forbes magazine.

Cowell, who is the only Brit to make Forbe's highest paid personality list shares the position with American TV and radio host Howard Stern, the Daily Express reported.

The list also features chat show host Oprah Winfrey and US Apprentice star Donald Trump, who have earned 49 million pounds and 40 million pounds respectively over the last 12 months.

Comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres is estimated to have earned 36 million pounds and Judy Sheindlin, American TV's Judge Judy has earned 30 million pounds.

According to Forbes, most of Cowell's money comes from his stakes in The X Factor, which now airs in 41 countries, and from Got Talent, which is the biggest-selling television franchise in the world having spread as far as Vietnam, Afghanistan and China.

The magazine also reported that Cowell gets a cut from all these shows as well as encouraging judges to scout talent for his Syco record label which has signed Bleeding Love singer Leona Lewis and hearthrob boyband One Direction.

The top paid TV personalities of June 2012 - June 2013:

Simon Cowell 61 million pounds

Howard Stern 61 million pounds

Glenn Beck 57 million pounds

Oprah Winfrey 49 million pounds

Dr Phil McGraw 46 million pounds

Rush Limbaugh 42 million pounds

Donald Trump 40 million pounds

Ryan Seacrest 39 million pounds

Ellen DeGeneres 36 million pounds

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