Nigel Lythgoe Leaving American Idol

Nigel Lythgoe, the producer who has been with American Idol since its conception in the United States and has guided the show's production, is moving on from the Fox hit, the Associated Press reports.

Lythgoe is in the process of negotiating a joint-venture deal with American Idol creator Simon Fuller and Fuller's management group, 19 Entertainment.

"I will step back from my day-to-day producing work on American Idol and will be devoting my time" to a new enterprise, Lythgoe revealed in a statement on Monday.

Fox's number one rated show has been struggling to keep its hold on the top slot, as last season brought a decline in viewers. During its most recent season, American Idol averaged 28.4 million viewers each week, compared to the 30.8 million viewers who watched in its highest-rated season, 2005-2006. Though the numbers have not dropped significantly, its viewership has declined from last year amongst its 18-49-year-old audience-an indication that those who watch the show are aging.

Though Fox congratulated Lythgoe on his new project, calling him an "extraordinarily talented producer whose creative contributions to the No. 1 show on television have been immeasurable," they added that they were "disappointed" to see him go.

Whether or not Lythgoe will have any involvement at all during the show's next season remains unclear, as a 19 Entertainment spokesman said that producers for next season have yet to be decided.