FOX cancels "The X Factor" after only three seasons

Fox has announced it will not be bringing "The X Factor" back after only three seasons.

Once thought of as an alternate for FOX when "American Idol" was on hiatus, or even an eventual replacement, the show never seemed to find it's distinction from "American Idol." To many, the show seemed like just another edition of the same show.

From Variety:

Show saw significant ratings falloffs in each of its next two years, and its adults 18-49 average for the current season (2.2) is just half of what it was in season one (4.4). For those first two seasons, “X Factor” was the No. 3-rated broadcast reality series in adults 18-49 (behind only “American Idol” and “The Voice”), but it currently also ranks behind ABC’s “The Bachelor,” “Dancing With the Stars” and “Shark Tank,” CBS’ “Survivor” and “Amazing Race” and NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”

In total viewers, the Wednesday installment of “X Factor” went from 12.7 million in 2011, to 9.7 million in 2012 and then about 7 million for its 2013 edition.

Britney Spears quits X Factor and fiance

Britney Spears has given her notice to both her day job and her boyfriend.

According to TVGuide.com, Britney will not be returning to THE X FACTOR, having served as judge for just one season.

"I've made the very difficult decision not to return for another season," she said in a statement Friday. "I had an incredible time doing the show and I love the other judges and I am so proud of my teens but it's time for me to get back in the studio. Watching them all do their thing up on that stage every week made me miss performing so much!  I can't wait to get back out there and do what I love most."

Sources previously told TVGuide.com that she did so because she knew she was going to be fired.

Spears was paid $15 million to appear as a judge on the show. Word is the singer is currently recording her eighth album, and may be in talks to headline her own show in Las Vegas.

"She is very interested in a Vegas residency, and is in serious talks with one of the major casino groups," a source close to Spears told TVGuide.com Friday.

On the personal side of her life, Britney and fiance Jason Trawick have called it quits.

"Britney Spears and Jason Trawick have mutually agreed to end their one-year engagement," her rep Jeff Raymond tells PEOPLE. "As two mature adults, they came to the difficult decision to go their separate ways while continuing to remain friends."

One Direction on The X Factor finale

One Direction - Harry, Niall, Zayn, Louis, and Liam - brought their Brit boy band to the finale of the X Factor last night to show that you can come in third and still sell 15 million albums.

Demi Lovato burned by X Factor USA contestant; Simon Cowell amused

Britney is umcomfortable; Demi (who I'm told is a singer) is burned; and Simon Cowell is amused...

This sounds like a fun show kids.

Not.