All winners would release their albums through Syco (which, to date, has sold 150 million albums).

FORBES: Magazine Article

The X Factor isn't exclusively tied to Sony Music, the company that distributes Cowell's SyCo label.

BBC: The X Factor takes on the world

Syco is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, with offices in London and Los Angeles.

ENGADGET: Sony and Simon Cowell intro X Factor-themed MDR-X10, celebrity headphones officially jump the shark for $300

Syco Entertainment is a leading global music, television, film and digital production company.

ENGADGET: Sony and Simon Cowell intro X Factor-themed MDR-X10, celebrity headphones officially jump the shark for $300

Produced by the UK's Fremantle Media and Cowell's Syco TV, the format itself has also been sold to 16 countries.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Cowell hit 'sold to 80 countries'

So Cowell is trying to build his company, Syco, into an entertainment phenom to produce television programs, records and movies--without featuring Simon Cowell.

FORBES: Magazine Article