Ckx Inc

Now that Simon Cowell has decided this will be his last season as a judge on Fox's "American Idol," the next drama for the show's creator, Simon Fuller, may be in a boardroom. Fuller, chief executive of 19 Entertainment, which produces "American Idol" for Fox, is eyeballing the top job at 19 Entertainment's parent company, CKX Inc., according to people close to the situation. CKX, headed by Robert F.X. Sillerman, also has a majority stake in Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn.

Former NBC executive Marc Graboff is in advanced talks to take a senior position at CKX, the parent of production company 19 Entertainment, whose TV shows include Fox's massive hit "American Idol. " Graboff, who left his position as president of NBC's West Coast operations just one month ago, could end up with the chief executive spot at CKX, which is currently held by Mike Ferrel, people close to Graboff and the company said. At NBC, Graboff worked primarily behind the scenes overseeing business operations for the network.

CKX Inc., the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, announced a long-term joint venture with Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian-based acrobatic troupe known for its extravagant theatrical and acrobatic productions. Cirque du Soleil will produce a series of shows focused on Presley's life and music and help design interactive, multimedia museums called "Elvis Experiences," CKX said.

It's been a week of breakups for "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. First, Simon Cowell announced he was leaving his job as judge on the hit Fox show. Now Fuller is parting ways with CKX Inc., which owns 19 Entertainment, producer of "American Idol" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Fuller's exit to start his own entertainment production company comes just days after CKX Chief Executive Robert F.X. Sillerman told The Times that he did not think Fuller's skills were suited to the executive suite.

The building has left Elvis, at least for now. CKX Inc., producer of the "American Idol" television program, said Tuesday that it agreed to acquire the Las Vegas Elvis-A-Rama museum, which it would close to make way for a "world-class" Elvis-themed attraction. CKX, which controls the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, didn't disclose the price it would pay for the museum, website and most of the memorabilia on display.

Lisa Marie Presley is keeping Graceland but selling the bulk of the Elvis estate, including rights to her father's name and image, in a deal worth approximately $100 million. Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. announced an agreement this week to sell 85% of its assets to businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman, founder of music and sports promoter SFX Entertainment. The Presley estate brought in almost $45 million last year.

CKX Inc., the owner of rights to the Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali names and the "American Idol" television show, said it would be taken private in a $1.33-billion buyout led by its chief executive. Shares of the New York-based company soared as much as 44% following the announcement. Shareholders will receive $13.75 in cash and one share of FX Luxury Realty for each share of CKX, the company said. FX Luxury, an affiliate of CEO Robert F.X.

It's been a week of breakups for "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. First, Simon Cowell announced he was leaving his job as judge on the hit Fox show. Now Fuller is parting ways with CKX Inc., which owns 19 Entertainment, producer of "American Idol" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Fuller's exit to start his own entertainment production company comes just days after CKX Chief Executive Robert F.X. Sillerman told The Times that he did not think Fuller's skills were suited to the executive suite.

The pilgrims will still weep at Elvis Presley's grave, and the souvenir shops will still swarm with credit-card-waving fans, an occasional black pompadour hardly drawing a glance. But change is in the air: Strangers are in Graceland. Lisa Marie Presley has sold the business side of her father's estate and turned over his famous white-columned house to CKX Inc., an entertainment company that also owns the "American Idol" TV show.

Former NBC executive Marc Graboff is in advanced talks to take a senior position at CKX, the parent of production company 19 Entertainment, whose TV shows include Fox's massive hit "American Idol. " Graboff, who left his position as president of NBC's West Coast operations just one month ago, could end up with the chief executive spot at CKX, which is currently held by Mike Ferrel, people close to Graboff and the company said. At NBC, Graboff worked primarily behind the scenes overseeing business operations for the network.

Now that Simon Cowell has decided this will be his last season as a judge on Fox's "American Idol," the next drama for the show's creator, Simon Fuller, may be in a boardroom. Fuller, chief executive of 19 Entertainment, which produces "American Idol" for Fox, is eyeballing the top job at 19 Entertainment's parent company, CKX Inc., according to people close to the situation. CKX, headed by Robert F.X. Sillerman, also has a majority stake in Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn.

CKX Inc., the owner of rights to the Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali names and the "American Idol" television show, said it would be taken private in a $1.33-billion buyout led by its chief executive. Shares of the New York-based company soared as much as 44% following the announcement. Shareholders will receive $13.75 in cash and one share of FX Luxury Realty for each share of CKX, the company said. FX Luxury, an affiliate of CEO Robert F.X.

CKX Inc., the parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises, announced a long-term joint venture with Cirque du Soleil, the Canadian-based acrobatic troupe known for its extravagant theatrical and acrobatic productions. Cirque du Soleil will produce a series of shows focused on Presley's life and music and help design interactive, multimedia museums called "Elvis Experiences," CKX said.

The building has left Elvis, at least for now. CKX Inc., producer of the "American Idol" television program, said Tuesday that it agreed to acquire the Las Vegas Elvis-A-Rama museum, which it would close to make way for a "world-class" Elvis-themed attraction. CKX, which controls the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley, didn't disclose the price it would pay for the museum, website and most of the memorabilia on display.

The pilgrims will still weep at Elvis Presley's grave, and the souvenir shops will still swarm with credit-card-waving fans, an occasional black pompadour hardly drawing a glance. But change is in the air: Strangers are in Graceland. Lisa Marie Presley has sold the business side of her father's estate and turned over his famous white-columned house to CKX Inc., an entertainment company that also owns the "American Idol" TV show.

Lisa Marie Presley is keeping Graceland but selling the bulk of the Elvis estate, including rights to her father's name and image, in a deal worth approximately $100 million. Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. announced an agreement this week to sell 85% of its assets to businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman, founder of music and sports promoter SFX Entertainment. The Presley estate brought in almost $45 million last year.

CKX Inc., owner of the television show "American Idol," said a group led by Chief Executive Robert F.X. Sillerman had ended plans to acquire the company, citing "extraordinary national and global economic conditions." The Sillerman-led group, 19X, will pay a breakup fee of $37.5 million, according to a CKX filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The group will pay $37 million of the fee with CKX shares, according to the filing. Sillerman and Simon Fuller, a director of New York-based CKX, plan "to pursue an alternate transaction for the acquisition of the company," the filing said.

Federal regulators say the former butler of businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman illegally profited in stock trading by using confidential information regarding his boss' acquisition plans. Through his lawyer, Graham J. Lefford disputed the allegations by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC on Tuesday announced a civil lawsuit charging Lefford with illegal insider trading in shares of Sports Entertainment Enterprises Inc.