UPDATED: Ryan Seacrest just received $15 million in 3 year contract with CKX, parent of 19 Entertainment/”Idol” Producer. (7/13/09) It’s not a bad time to be the “bad boy” of American Idol, or better the “British invasion of blunt taste,” i.e., Simon Cowell. With a recession-proof request to re-up at Idol - from Cowell’s current $36 million per year (we’re assuming little if any individual merchandising tied to the show) to $144 million a year, and a newco deal with Sir Philip Green, a UK retail magnate, in Greenwell Entertainment, Cowell seems poised to take advantage of a struggling tv, talent and reality marketplace. Similar to what the falling fallen music business is doing, media studios are presumably locking in 360-degree deals with their talent, whereby the economics become all-inclusive and hedged beyond a single property.

Per Silicon Alley Insider, by way of the New York Post:

While $36 million may seem like a lot of money for five months worth of snarky comments and eye-rolls, it’s only a fraction of the estimated $900 million that “Idol” rakes in a year. As the lynchpin of the show — without him there would be no one to hate and no dramatic tension with Paula Abdul — Cowell believes he’s due for a raise.

Credit goes to Simon and Sir Philip for seeing an opportunity. Cowell brings contrast to Idol - among other spectacles - and really shines a light on the US celeb fascination. While everyone else fawns, he weaves in hyper criticism to the aspiring young singers (and Abdul and Seacrest).