The X Factor set to return to TV
A revamped version of The X Factor is reportedly set to return to TV.
The X Factor is set to return to TV.
The ITV talent show ran for 15 series from 2004 to 2018 and was followed by two 2019 spin-offs, X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band, and now the programme - which made superstars out of the likes of One Direction, Leona Lewis, Little Mix and James Arthur - is set for a revamp.
According to The Sun on Sunday newspaper, production company Talkback Thames and ITV bosses are in talks for an X Factor reboot and are "super-keen" to bring back the programme with younger judges to appeal to a new generation of viewers, though creator Simon Cowell is likely to return in some capacity.
The decision comes after ITV's newer big-budget entertainment shows, including The Neighbourhood and The Fortune Hotel, which were hosted by Graham Norton and Stephen Mangan respectively, struggled to find an audience, while viewing figures for the latest series of The Voice have been low.
A source said: “ITV have a giant gaping hole that needs filling in its entertainment schedule, particularly over weekends when bigger viewing figures are up for grabs.
“They can’t afford another disaster after the car crash of The Neighbourhood, which was colossally expensive and failed terribly.
“Rather than creating more flop formats they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover.
“They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show’s return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop social media generation.
“ITV has shown with programmes like Love Island and I’m A Celebrity . . . that social media is where they can inject massive viewing figures.
“The X Factor was one of the most iconic shows in TV history and created dozens of stars and household names who are still riding high today.
“Executives at Talkback Thames have had discussions with ITV chiefs about a comeback and they are super-keen for it.”
Simon - who still co-owns the rights to The X Factor, along with distribution company Fremantle - admitted earlier this year he had spoken "a lot" about bringing back The X Factor.
Asked in May if The X Factor could return, he told the Tales from the Celebrity Trenches podcast: “Yeah, we talk about it a lot. Do you bring it back as X Factor or do you bring it back as the Z Factor?
“There’s still no question, the power of TV in terms of getting people to know an artist. It’s so important if you’re not writing your own material.
“The truth is there’s something about being on a big screen. You hear about these artists who break online, but so rarely.
“Truth is, I guess, thank God, people like being on TV.”
