The British talent search television series Pop Idol has spawned spin-offs in over 40 countries, in what is now referred to as the Idols format, as described by FremantleMedia. As part of an out-of-court settlement between the Pop Idol producers and the creators of Popstars, international sales contracts of the format contain a clause preventing the local broadcaster from using the word pop in the local title. The Idol television series is managed by 19 Entertainment, a CKX, Inc. company.

The Idol franchise is the third most popular international franchise, behind only the The Weakest Link and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? franchises, both of which also originated in the UK.