London, Nov 3 (IANS): Singer Britney Spears might be fired from "The X Factor" because she's too expensive.

The 30-year-old, who currently sits on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and LA Reid, is reportedly under threat because producers are eager to dramatically reduce the show's budget next season.

"Producers were hoping to pull in between 15-20 million viewers but the show hasn't reached those expectations and in a recent episode that clashed with the World Series only 5.7 million watched," showbizspy.com quoted a source as saying.

"Those numbers add up to cost cutting and Britney will be expendable. So, considering Fox has already renewed The X Factor for a third season, producers will be looking to spend less on the production of the show, including the judges' salaries.

"Britney, who was signed on a one-year deal, is the first person who will be expected to have her salary chopped. She is on a $15 million contract, which is absurd given that there's been no huge surge in the ratings," the source added.