American Idol the first season where neither finalist achieved significant album sales. The tenth season of the series premiered on January 19, 2011. Many changes were introduced this season, from the format to the personnel of the show. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined Randy Jackson as judges following the departures of Simon Cowell (who left to launch the U.S. version of "The X Factor"), Kara DioGuardi (whose contract was not renewed) and Ellen DeGeneres, while Nigel Lythgoe returned as executive producer. Jimmy Iovine, chairman of the Interscope Geffen A&M label group, the new partner of "American Idol", acted as the in-house
Idol (franchise) from major networks. Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch, persuaded her father to buy the rights for an American adaptation. The series, "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar", debuted on the Fox network on 11 June 2002. "American Idol" also featured Cowell as its judge, who also proved to be popular among the American audiences. "American Idol" quickly rose to the top of the U.S. TV ratings, due to the popularity of the judges (particularly Cowell) and its contestants, which were led by its first winner, Kelly Clarkson. The success brought by "American Idol" led to