Will Fox renew The X Factor USA for a fourth season?

The ratings free fall for The X Factor has been well documented, to the point where many have assumed that Fox would not renew the show for a fourth season. But new reports indicate that the network might still have faith in Simon Cowell's reality singing show.

Fox renewed the show for another season during early November in its first two seasons, but the network has not pulled the trigger thus far this year. EW.com reports that Fox and X Factor producers have begun discussions on a renewal for Season 4 that would include fewer episodes. According to the sources, the odds of a renewal have turned somewhat in the show's favor.

Season 3 of The X Factor debuted at a 38 percent decrease in the adults 18-49 demo from Season 2 (and the Season 2 premiere was down from Season 1). The show has hit an all-time ratings low in nearly every consecutive week since the premiere.

But Fox is apparently not ready to give up just yet, partially because reality shows are fluid and can be tweaked (in format, hosts, judges, etc.) to bring back more viewers. The show is also a smash hit in many of the 45 countries in which it airs and is considered fruitful for advertising sales. It also draws an average of 7.3 million viewers and a 2.4 rating in the adults 18-49 demo, which is ahead of many other Fox shows, including The Mindy Project and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

EW.com also reports that the plan would be to shorten the show from three hours a week to two hours a week if it were renewed.