Has American Idol started another trend?

Did "American Idol" Begin a Trend of Hiring High-Priced Judges By Signing Jennifer Lopez? 

The "Hollywood Reporter" points out that "American Idol" seems to have touched off a trend of reality competitions paying top dollar to land big name "judges." --This began when they shelled out $12 MILLION to land JENNIFER LOPEZ after SIMON COWELL left in 2010.  At the time, "Idol" was under a lot of pressure to bring in a high-profile celebrity to compensate for Simon's departure. J-Lo was the first judge to get big money to join a show.  And last year, she reportedly got $20 million to come back for the current season.

Since then, NBC parted with $10 million to re-sign "Voice" coach CHRISTINA AGUILERA . . . and they coughed up $15 million to get HOWARD STERN to join "America's Got Talent".  On top of that, they're moving production to New York City to accommodate him. --It's become a game . . . where all these reality competitions are basically trying to one-up each other.  The "Hollywood Reporter" speculates that this is why Simon axed PAULA ABDUL and NICOLE SCHERZINGER on "X Factor".

Simon re-teaming with Paula was a STORY . . . but neither she nor Nicole were all that credible as judges.  So, expect him to drop a pile of money to get a big-name singer. -Networks are willing to pay high-profile judges because it's easier to publicize the show.  One exec explains, quote, "If you know you can book them on 'The View' or the 'Today' show or 'Letterman', that just makes it easier." --And A-List singers are willing to do these shows for the exposure.  AEROSMITH sales are up big-time since STEVEN TYLER joined "Idol" . . . and the "Voice" coaches have also had increased sales.

By the way, Fox has picked up J-Lo and MARC ANTHONY'S Latin American singing competition "Q'Viva! The Chosen".  A Spanish language version recently premiered on Univision, but Fox will begin airing the English version on Saturday, March 3rd. --It won't all be dubbed or subtitled.  The judges speak to the contestants in English most of the time.  There will be subtitles when the contestants speak in Spanish or Portuguese.)