Simon Cowell says 'The X Factor' USA 2013 will be renewed for Season 4

Simon Cowell's reality signing competition The X Factor has struggled mightily in the ratings throughout Season 3, as NBC's The Voice routinely dominates its Fox counterpart in viewership and demo ratings. The X Factor typically declined from week to week and hit new all-time lows multiple times this season. Perhaps the biggest blow came last week when NBC's OTHER singing show, The Sing-Off, edged The X Factor in the 18-49 demo ratings.

Despite all that, Cowell is confident that The X Factor will be back for a fourth season. According to EW.com, he told reporters during a conference call on Monday that "the show will be back next season." He indicated that the show could take on "a different kind of role" but added that "we haven't discussed that yet."

EW previously reported that Fox has yet to officially renew the show, but the network is discussing bringing it back for Season 4. The order would likely call for less X Factor, though, and would probably reduce the show from three hours a week to two hours a week.

Cowell also offered his analysis of Season 3 during the conference call:

"The show started off okay. I thought the four-chair section was terrific. I thought the early live shows were okay. And the last two weeks have been amazing...As a series, particularly because of the talent - and I'm biased but it's true - because of what [contestant duo] Alex & Sierra have achieved on iTunes over the last couple weeks - I've never seen this happen with a contestant - the show has achieved what it set out to achieve, to find a star."