The pop star search show - which aired on Fox in the US for 15 seasons before ending last year - was originally touted to return to screens on NBC but production company Freemantle Media is close to signing a deal with ABC, Variety reported.
Cowell will not be able to return to the show if the deal goes ahead, as he has an exclusivity deal with NBC, which makes his "America's Got Talent" series.
However, original winner Kelly Clarkson has been tipped to head up the judging panel in his place.
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