Fox cancels Simon Cowell's 'The X Factor' after three seasons

After much speculation about whether The X Factor would return for a fourth season, Fox officially canceled the struggling singing competition on Friday.

A mere 6.2 million people watched the show's Season 3 finale for a 1.7 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic, which marked declines of 36 and 45 percent, respectively, from the Season 2 finale. The show hit a new ratings low almost every week in Season 3.

The X Factor also never produced a credible star such as Kelly Clarkson from American Idol. Melanie Amaro, the Season 1 champion, had a debut album that never got released, while her singles bombed. Sony also dropped Season 2 winner Tate Stevens from its label after his sales underperformed.

The show also went through numerous structural and creative changes in its three seasons and failed to create a sense of consistency from year to year. Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were fired from the judges' panel after Season 1 and Britney Spears and Demi Lovato replaced them. Spears and L.A. Reid then left after Season 2 and Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio replaced them for Season 3. Host Steve Jones also got the axe after Season 1 to be replaced by Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian in Season 2. Kardashian did not return for Season 3, but Lopez did.

"I've had a fantastic time over the last 12 years, both on The X Factor and American Idol," said executive producer and judge Simon Cowell in a statement (via TVLine). "And apart from being lucky enough to find some amazing talent on the shows, I have always had an incredible welcome from the American public (most of the time!). Last year, for a number of reasons, I had to make a decision to return [for the first time in four years] to the U.K. version of The X Factor in 2014. So for now, I'm back to the U.K. and I want to thank FOX for being an incredible partner and I also want to thank everybody who has supported my shows. America, I'll see you soon!"

What are your thoughts? Are you upset that the show is not coming back, or are you glad to see it go? Let us know in the comments below.