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New-look X Factor’s ratings fall 400,000
Kevin Widdop, London LiteUpdated 16:25pm on 24 Aug 2009
Audience ratings for The X Factor have slumped by 400,000, despite a new format designed to inject more drama.
A peak of 11.7m people tuned in to the ITV1 show on Saturday, down from last year's peak of 12.1m. For the first time, auditions were pre-recorded in front of a live theatre audience instead of just the judging panel, as in previous series. It is still the show's second most successful launch, which X Factor creator Simon Cowell put down to interest in Susan Boyle on his other hit ITV show, Britain's Got Talent.
Changes: X Factor creator Simon Cowell
He said: “Susan Boyle changed auditions forever. If she had walked on to The X Factor like it used to be, it would not have been as dramatic. Giving people a crowd to perform in front of makes it harder and more exciting.”
Gallery: X Factor behind the scenes
An X Factor spokeswoman put the ratings drop down to the “lovely weather” on the night of the broadcast. One fan of the old format said, however: “You can't hear for the audience making such a racket. It was more intimate, better TV having people just standing in front of four judges and singing.”
Reader views (20)
too much like BGT!! Go back to the old format for the show - more entertainment then!!!! Too many commercials and not enough laughs from watching the contestants performing in front of the judges.
- Isabel Cunningham, airdrie scotland, 07/10/2009 23:37
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The format of the show is good... The TV coverage of the show is awful!!! People tune in to see the acts perform; not just see them scream as they are told that they are through! Oh yes.. too many commercial breaks!! I changed channels in the end as it was all screaming idiots and commercials!
- Semore, Northampton, England, 07/10/2009 22:37
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I watched x factor on Saturday and i was really disappointed, having the audience in the back has brought it down dramatically. It was better TV when it wasn't done this way, i'm even thinking of not bothering to watch this series as the audience in the back really annoy, it ashame as i was really looking forward to watching x factor this year.
- Karan, Birmingham, 07/10/2009 22:37
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I think the truth is Simon is staging the good acts for the international acts. Danyl sang for more than two minutes. Why? I'm happy for him he can sing and all, but i can't be fooled. this was staged...with them saying its been a rubbish day before he came and Cheryl trying to act alll seriopus when he started. All staged. All prescreened. the audience is nor truly live...Simon i'm sure gets to listen to the contestants beforehand and then does the drama afterwards. This is an extension of Britain's got Talent! Gotcha Simon. I'm a director. Ya can't fool me!
- Madam Suzie, Nevada, 07/10/2009 22:37
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I'll give the new format a chance but I have to say that I was disappointed that we weren't given an insight into how the contestants felt about now having to audition before a live audience, nerves at the side of the stage, etc. I have to say that they did all seem to be a bit too relaxed and it all felt a bit staged. I also agree that there were too many commercial breaks, too many clips of those who got through and of those who didn't. Why couldn't we see any of them, maybe there just aren't enough auditionees this year and clips are being used to stretch out the audition weeks...?
- Lucy, Southampton, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Defo preferred the old way of the X Factor. Now it just seems like Britains Got Talent - but with all singers and nothing else (and that gets a little boring) I agree with most comments - it is all pre-screened, plastic trash tv. But I still love it :P
- Gary, renfrew scotland, 07/10/2009 22:37
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it!! The old format was great. I hate the new format and it is like BGT which annoys me like nothing else.
- Ds, Surrey, 07/10/2009 22:37
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We all know a certain number of no-hopers are put through to the tv stages because they are so bad that they are funny. But some of these people appear to be mentally retarded. Surely that's not right... is it?
- Jethro Penzance, Bodmin, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Can someone tell the future superstars of X Factor that sobbing uncontrollably at this stage of the series is very entertaining but if by chance you do make it,people will think you are odd..What ever happened to Alexandra Burke<last years winner?> who wept at the sight of Beyonce..
- Jonnie Of Brixton, brixton,london,england, 07/10/2009 22:37
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its all going wrong for Simon Cowell...soon to make a few more million. I bet the format changes through the series, kechim,,,,kechim,,,
- Rogerio Barros, London UK, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Oh, come on, having the audience there creates a good atmosphere. Also, it takes time to get used to something different, whether it's new curtains or a different picture on the wall. Anyway, the guy from South Shields has the watch-ability factor in bucket loads. That is the X-Factor!!
- Brian Taylor, Oxford UK, 07/10/2009 22:37
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It now looks contrived and silly. It has lost its 'freshness' and it shows It has obviously been rehearsed. Audiences are not stupd
- Sheila, london uk, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Along with 50 million others I didn't watch it, I don't like it whatever the format. Why can't we have some decent drama or even a film on Saturday evening instead of these dreadful wannabe shows and quizzes?
- Jed, United Kingdom, 07/10/2009 22:37
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I preferred the intimacy of the studio - as the drama increased the contestants made it to boot camp with the other performers as the audience and then the fully blown prime time slot on ITV with the studio audience and viewers at home - whopped up into a frenzy
I hope the American Idol format does not change! (with or with out posh!)
- Alestare, London, 07/10/2009 22:37
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I'm so dissapointed in the new xfactor format. I don't want it to be like BGT. It's runied it for me. I liked intimacy of the first audition. I liked seeing how everyone then got on with an audience once they got to
Boot Camp.
Of course, i love the silly auditions as much as anyone, but now it just invites even more staged and silly auditions which, quite frankly just aren't funny anymore. Please please please bring back the old format.
- Emma Hayes, Baldock England., 07/10/2009 22:37
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I used to love the X Factor and was really disappointed with the new format. The programme seemed rehearsed to me and had too much chat and too many adverts and not enough auditions. I won't be watching it again.
- Susan, Sudbury, Suffolk, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Hello London,
The difference between BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT and X- FACTOR is that one is looking for a POP singer that's X - Factor and the other variety show, all singing all dancing?.
I do feel that the Panel should have BUZZERS even on this new series.
Saturdays show was to say the least long and drawn out with many ad, breaks.
Giving the people two minutes, when clearly they have no voice, flat, can't sing and rude is clearly wasting time.
Having all friends and family in the wings is also a turn off, and I can't abide all the screaming ,.......... what's going on.
If the format brought in BUZZERS I feel it would be much better, and let the audience play it's part.
I agree standing in- front of four judges is one thing,.... but standing in-front of a live audience is another and does sought out the wheat from the chaff.
So Simon, please bring in the buzzers that's all that's missing, and we get to see more acts.
Love the show, best of luck to all who get to boot camp, and to all who make it through to the live shows.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
- John L., Scarborough N. Yorkshire . England. U.K., 07/10/2009 22:37
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The new format is awful. The crowd need to go for starters. Secondly,I prefered to hear these numbskulls singing unaccompanied not with a backing track as it's even funnier. Did we really need to keep seeing the 'sound man' adjusting the 'faders' before each entry?
- Es, London, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Can't stand the "live" element nor the blatent bias towards some contestants. Danyl for example had full backing singers and a backing track on his audition while others had to sing accapella without any backing at all.
No, it's too much like Britain's Got Talent and a live audience loses the intimacy of pre-recorded auditions in a closed room. I for one will definitely not be watching it again. Perhaps this new format will spell the end for the X Factor!?
- Barry Cashin, London, 07/10/2009 22:37
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Just two words why we are not going to watch this year - Holly Willoughby.
- Anon, uk, 07/10/2009 22:37
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