More Axe Factor than X Factor?

SO it seems that this year’s X Factor isn’t attracting the hype that was anticipated. As you all probably know by now, three new judges were introduced to the show – Gary Barlow (Take That), Kelly Rowland (formerly of Destiny’s Child) and Tulisa Contostavlos (N’Dubz), with the ever reliable Louis Walsh also invited back for yet another year.

Everyone thought that these three new faces would inject some life, vibrancy and indeed passion to the show – however, the ratings don’t reflect this. Since the show began airing this season, it has seen a dramatic drop in viewership figures. According to the Daily Mail, the first live show this year was watched by a peak audience of 12.7million on the Saturday night – a huge drop on the 13.5million who tuned in for the first live show of last year’s series.

To add insult to injury, the Guardian newspaper reported that last Saturday night’s edition of The X Factor pulled in 9.8million viewers (a 38 percent share) between 8pm and 9.55pm, more than two million viewers down on the 12.01million who tuned in at the same stage of the series last year.

As well as that, in the 15 minutes when the show went head-to-head with Strictly Come Dancing between 8pm and 8.15pm, the ITV singing competition averaged a mere 8.3million, in comparison to the 9.5million viewers that the BBC dancing show attracted.

I think that the problem with The X Factor is that it is becoming utterly predictable. Week after week, one can be almost certain that one of the judges (usually either Tulisa or Kelly) will break down after another “truly emotional” performance, or bickering and bitching will ensue between Gary and Louis, or Louis and someone...typical Irish!

This year, I don’t think there are any particularly outstanding contestants..fair enough, Misha B and Craig have impressed thus far, but they don’t have as much of an impact as Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson, One Direction or even Mary Byrne had on viewers last year.

Why’s this? I think the bickering and constant media attention on the judges have turned viewers off, if I’m being honest. It’s not about the contestants anymore..People tune in to see what Kelly and Tulisa are wearing, or what ridiculous comments Louis will blurt out – last year, it was based all on talent.

Plus of course, we had the added attraction of the sharp and cruelly honest tongue of one Simon Cowell, who is now overseeing procedures in The X Factor USA.
So where does this leave The X Factor? In not such a good position, I’m afraid. It seems to be going from bad to worse for the ITV show, which was up to this year, the only reason to stay in on a Saturday night..Now it’s competition time, and I’m not just talking about the contestants..

Let the battle commence..