X Factor return gets lowest launch ratings in 10 years despite Simon Cowell bringing back ‘glory day’ judges
The music mogul rebooted old favourites in a bid to bring back viewers ... but it didn't work
THE X Factor returned with its lowest launch ratings in 10 years — despite a major overhaul by Simon Cowell.
The supremo, 56, has changed the panel and host in a bid to slow slumping viewing figures.
But Saturday’s launch show pulled in nearly one million fewer viewers than 2015’s opener, with a 6.8million average down from 7.65m.
Figures peaked at 7.5m — including those watching on ITV+1 — down more than 3m on five years ago.
The total is the lowest for a launch show since 2005, when 6.6m tuned in for the series which Shayne Ward went on to win.
It comes after last year’s judges Rita Ora, Cheryl and Nick Grimshaw were replaced along with hosts Olly Murs and Caroline Flack. Cowell rehired old judges Nicole Scherzinger,
Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh - as well as ex-frontman Dermot O’Leary.
Viewers were also treated to a series of impressive acts in the old intimate room set-up rather than in front of a live audience.
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A source said: “Simon will be disappointed as the show was really good. Numbers will rise once catch-up and other services are added on. But it’s not what everyone felt it deserved.”
However revamped spin-off The Xtra Factor Live pulled in 809,000 viewers, peaking at 942,000. That made it the day’s second most-watched digital show behind BT Sport’s Hull-Man Utd game.
Four things we learnt from the show
1. SIMON loves a classic dessert. He told Scots act Richard Jen Ting, who works as a food technician, he’d love to bring back rice pudding.
2. SHAZZA hates Scotland. The acid-tongued judge didn’t bother to turn up to the Edinburgh auditions as she had prior commitments.
3. NICOLE can not only sing and dance — she’s also seriously good at impressions. The former Pussycat Dolls star mimicked Britney Spears, Shakira and Simon himself.
4. This year it’s about the actual talent, not the novelty acts. Other than Scottish Richard, who butchered Somewhere Over the Rainbow, the quality was really high.
5. Sob stories are back. Family tragedies, heartbreak and one contestant not being able to read. And they all tugged on the panel’s heartstrings.
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