MIPCOM – Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia International (FMI) announced an array of sales for the UK version of The X Factor. Created and owned by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and co-produced by Syco and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK), The X Factor UK has hit global shores for the very first time and has already sold to 147 territories worldwide.
Networks from all corners of the world, including AXS (U.S.), MNET (pan-regional Africa), RTL CBS Asia Entertainment (pan-regional Asia) and Sony Pictures Television Networks (pan-regional Latin America) have taken Britain’s most talked about entertainment show to their local audiences.
Other broadcasters to snap up the hit show include DR (Denmark), TV3 (Ireland), MTV3 (Finland), 365 Media (Iceland), Sky (Italy), Upstar (Africa) , PBS (Malta), TV2 (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Viacom 18 (Sub-continental India), MediaCorp (Singapore), Workpoint TV (Thailand), Chek (Canada), YES TV (Canada), Hotvision (Israel), Fox International (Russia & Poland) CNC3 (Trinidad), TV Channel 17 (Suriname) and Youku Tudou (China).
The X Factor UK has remained a cultural and ratings phenomenon in the UK for the past decade and has launched more international superstar careers than any other TV show, including multi-million selling global artists One Direction, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and Ella Henderson. The current season of The X Factor UK had its highest rating launch since season 8 with 10.7 million viewers tuning in to watch the show. The audience share was 104% above ITV1’s prime time average and the series is currently consolidating at almost 10 million viewers per episode, making it – yet again – one of the UK’s most popular shows.
Simon Cowell said, “The UK X Factor was the original version of the show and over the last decade it has set the benchmark all over the world for finding and launching international superstars. These shows were created to find artists like One Direction, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Little Mix and Ella Henderson who go on to sell millions of records. I’m delighted the UK show is being watched all over the world – as well as there being so many fantastic local versions of X Factor as well.”
Bob McCourt, Acting CEO, FremantleMedia International said, “The X Factor UK has been one of the most successful entertainment shows in the UK for a decade. Each year the series continues to pull in the big audiences and creates an incredible buzz. Our international clients have recognised this success and sales have been coming in thick and fast since we launched the show at MIPTV. We are hugely pleased to be working with these broadcasters to bring this staple of the UK’s autumn schedule to the rest of the world.”
George Levendis, Head of International, Syco Entertainment said, “The X Factor UK has millions of fans across the globe that has followed our incredible judges, contestant’s performances and the excitement of our show through social media & digital platforms. For the first time we are now delivering the show to broadcasters globally and audiences can enjoy our flagship production in its entirety following our contestants as they take what could be their first steps to superstardom. We are thrilled to be working with our broadcast partners globally.”
The X Factor is an entertainment format and is now produced locally in 51 territories worldwide. Since the launch of The X Factor UK in 2004, the British-born TV show has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth. The X Factor format has discovered and launched more international break-out artists than any other singing competition show, with more than 180 million record sales by The X Factor artists globally.
The latest season of The X Factor UK has seen Cowell make a celebrated return to once again lead the judging panel on the original UK version of the hit TV show. In a bid to find the next big singing sensation, Simon is joined by a new judging panel line-up including former Spice Girl Mel B, renowned music manager Louis Walsh and returning judge pop princess Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. The judges are joined by award-winning broadcaster and presenter Dermot O’Leary, who is on hand to preside over all of the tears, joy and drama, while providing support to the aspiring stars.
The X Factor UK contestants compete in two sets of audition rounds taking place across the UK in Manchester, London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. In the initial closed room auditions, contestants find themselves face-to-face with the judges for the first time. If they impress the panel and receive three or more “yes” votes, they will move on to perform in a packed arena in front of a live audience.
