Canadian Idol, the local version of the Pop Idol franchise won’t be returning to screens in 2009.

The show is being put on the shelf, broadcaster CTV says due to the economic downturn, and the resultant drop in advertising for a television year ahead.

The shoe is regarded as a success in Canada, scoring 1.47 million viewers per show in September and regularly winning its time slot.

CTV noted that international versions of “Idol” took “rests” and returned for another season.