Simon Cowell's live DJ competition show has been axed before it's even aired, reports Variety.

Tipped to debut in early 2016, Yahoo has now revealed that Ultimate DJ has been cancelled, as the troubled internet company shifts away from TV-style original programming.

The live show, that was to set to follow a similar format to successful TV franchises like The X Factor and The Voice, sort to pit up-and-coming electronic dance music DJs against one another in a battle for a recording contract at Sony Music Entertainment.

A representative from Simon Cowell's production company, Syco Entertainment, declined to comment on the cancellation.

It's not the first show to be dropped by Yahoo, as the company moves away from long-form scripted content towards less costly formats, whilst CEO Marissa Mayer faces the urgent task of driving growth in core businesses.