Simon Cowell Calls 'The Voice' Premiere 'Unprofessional'

"The X Factor" executive producer and judge Simon Cowell took it personally when NBC's expanded, three-night "The Voice" premiere crossed the NBC prime-time singing competition into his FOX talent search's premiere this Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The pissing match between "The X Factor" and network rival "American Idol" probably had enough on Cowell's mind, what with "The X Factor" boasting debuting judges Demi Lovato and high-priced Britney Spears against the "Idol" contingent of of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, with one more judge likely yet to be named.

Cowell told TMZ that NBC horning in on what he sees as his Wednesday-night territory's second-season premiere was a low, desperate blow violating a "gentleman's agreement" between networks.

"This is a cynical, cold-hearted, unprofessional way of doing business," Cowell said.

Above all else, Cowell is apparently rattled at the prospect that the head-to-head throwdown might re-ignite Spears' oldest rivalry.

"She's going to be devastated because she's put her heart and soul into this ... Britney's not going to appreciate the fact that Christina [Aguilera] - who has been a bit of a rival - isn't allowing Britney to have a night of her own," Cowell said.

"The Voice" comes into the fall season as the only of the three prime-time races to a recording deal not to be returning somewhat retooled. "The X Factor" returns not only coming of a premiere season of lower-than-hoped-for ratings, but without original judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, with no host to replace the departed Steve Jones, and with a new category structure grouping contestants under narrower age ranges and eliminating separation of the sexes.

For the first time since its debut, "Idol" returns this fall without a single returning judge from the previous season. After 11 seasons, Randy Jackson is stepping back into an off-camera mentorship role. It's also likely this season will also be the first since 2010 to feature a quartet of judges.