The X Factor axed

[Amber Avenger]

“Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit.”

So here’s a question: What was the last Syco format to last more than a couple of series in the UK?

I reckon it’s BGT, from something like 15 years ago. As far as I can remember, Syco’s other formats have rather missed the mark after being predicted to be the next big thing… Red or Black?, Food Glorious Food, The Greatest Dancer, Grease is the Word… but willing to be proved wrong!

Of course, TV formats are a fickle business and perhaps the new one will buck the trend—but it’s a bit tiresome to read coverage that seems to be predicated on the assumption that Syco shows are all big hits.

I think BGT and X-factor (and their international variations) are pretty much the only Syco hits to last more than two series. Red or Black and The Greatest Dancer got two but that's it - I wouldn't class them as flops, but didn't set the world alight either

[Keith]

It's official:

'No current plans' for another series of The X Factor, says ITV

ITV has said there are “no current plans” for another series of The X Factor.

The statement came following reports in The Sun that creator Simon Cowell has axed the programme after 17 years.

More here: https://www.itv.com/news/2021-07-28/no-c...r-says-itv

I imagine Covid-19 has given ITV a convenient excuse not to have a series (or two) of The X-Factor, whilst still allowing them to commission a new series post-Covid if there was sufficient public demand. I noted on GMB they referred to the series as being 'rested', which could allow to bring it back after a few years as per Takeaway and Dancing on Ice. Arguably resting the X-Factor is something that they should have done 5+ years ago.

Speculating, I can't help wondering if ITV may also be mindful of recent allegations from former contestants that raise concerns about their time on the show, and the music industry in general. Announcing a new series at present could potentially open a whole can of worms if more claims are made, and subsequently might give ITV Plc some headaches.

[stewart_scott]

Regardless of your opinion on this show and whether this announcement was long overdue or not. This is sad news. The show employed hundreds of people, hundreds of people who are now out of a job. Anytime that’s difficult, but during a pandemic it can only be more gut wrenching.

Totally agree with this. I was fortunate enough to work as a day runner when they did Judges auditions in Edinburgh a few years back, a long day and very hard work as expected but certainly a whole load of talented people working on the crew. These people tend to be forgotten when stories like this happen, many working on it for years. The show may have had its time in my opinion, it’s still very sad for the people without whom there would be no show.

[iloveTV1]

This is probably the right thing, and it’s not like we haven’t known it wasn’t come back for a long time, if at all. But I still do miss the buzz of a live X-Factor on a Saturday night in the winter.

[jsnbts]

My TV career started on Series 2 of The X Factor and so I do see this as really sad news, but it was long overdue. Hopefully it can come back in a few years when the time is right, but I think the glory days for the show are long over, sadly.

The X Factor in it's peak was top-draw - Rihanna, Britney Spears, Beyonce were just some of the A-list performers and people used to tune in every weekend - it was must watch television. In more recent years it almost became a parody of itself to the point where the public just presumed everything was contrived and rigged and they lost interest.

[Brekkie]

The right call for Cowell to axe it, two years after ITV last asked for a series. I don't think it should be dismissed based on the last few years though - it is one of the most successful formats of the last 20 years both in the UK and around the world and bought the sort of ratings back to TV on a weekly basis in the late noughties that we thought we'd never see again, as well as developing genuine stars who have had longevity.

I do think Cowell's return was the beginning of the end - and it never quite knew what it wanted to be as a couple of times in it's history (2012 and I think 2017) they found real raw original talent firstly with James Arthur and Ella Henderson, still going strong, and then with Raksu and Grace Davies, who never had the post-show impact they deserved), and then on both occassions they failed to build on that and switched back to rather mainstream kareoke singers the following year. Cowell being hands on with the format generally didn't do it any favours in it's later years and he became too reactionary, both on screen in the comments he gave, and off-screen in tinkering with things that often didn't need tinkering with.


I always said when ITV signed the new 5 year deal with BGT which included one series of X Factor that it would be better to hold it back till later in the contract than air it in the first year, and murmurings of 2023 suggest that might be exactly what happens anyway.


Protecting BGT is now crucial. It's been far more stable than The X Factor without the chopping and changing at the judges table and the format has pretty much remained consistent - the 5 semi final and final format has been in place since it's second series. Again though I think the finals last year showed that the show is stronger without Cowell on screen, and the enforced break should do it good. Personally I do think despite a consistent panel being it's strength that it does need freshening up to take it through the next 5 years - David's act which was the panels strength for many years has become tiresome IMO, and I think bringing Ashley in permanently would be a good move, but they need a comedian in the mix as well. Alesha is the only one I'd certainly retain.

[iloveTV1]

Protecting BGT is now crucial. It's been far more stable than The X Factor without the chopping and changing at the judges table and the format has pretty much remained consistent - the 5 semi final and final format has been in place since it's second series. Again though I think the finals last year showed that the show is stronger without Cowell on screen, and the enforced break should do it good. Personally I do think despite a consistent panel being it's strength that it does need freshening up to take it through the next 5 years - David's act which was the panels strength for many years has become tiresome IMO, and I think bringing Ashley in permanently would be a good move, but they need a comedian in the mix as well. Alesha is the only one I'd certainly retain.

If they were going to make changes to BGT, I’d say that the next series is the one to do it. I think Cowell might decide to pack in the judging at some point, but you’d think that he’d want to have a farewell season. He could even decide to only judge the live shows like he did in 2011.

Amanda and Alesha will definitely stay, David could resign but I’d think that it’d be unlikely. Ashley does Dancing on Ice at the same time so I think that he wouldn’t take up a spot on the panel. The question is also raised that if David was to go, which comedian could take his place? He worked better without Simon in the lives last year I think. Of course, they could have five judges, the current four and Ashley.

[Inspector Sands]

5 Gold Rings and The Big Questions were also axed this week.

Big Questions as in the Sunday morning thing?

[Brekkie]

If they were going to make changes to BGT, I’d say that the next series is the one to do it. I think Cowell might decide to pack in the judging at some point, but you’d think that he’d want to have a farewell season. He could even decide to only judge the live shows like he did in 2011.

Amanda and Alesha will definitely stay, David could resign but I’d think that it’d be unlikely. Ashley does Dancing on Ice at the same time so I think that he wouldn’t take up a spot on the panel. The question is also raised that if David was to go, which comedian could take his place? He worked better without Simon in the lives last year I think. Of course, they could have five judges, the current four and Ashley.

I don't think anyone other than Torvill and Dean would choose to judge Dancing on Ice over BGT. Ashley was also good for reactions - like with the viewers the judges get to a point where they've seen it all before so bringing in fresh eyes can really help.

[Meridian MR]

5 Gold Rings and The Big Questions were also axed this week.

Big Questions as in the Sunday morning thing?

Yes on BBC One

[FrancisC]

I think this is actually quite an accurate tweet to be fair:

https://twitter.com/scottygb/status/1420...69996?s=20

Whether you agree or not, a lot of even 'recent' shows, would likely not get aired these days, no?

[VMPhil]

I don't really agree with that view. I can only assume by "punching down" he means when they would show bad or delusional auditions at the start of a series. But surely the rest of the show was just Saturday night light entertainment, done extremely well (at the show's peak).

And the whole point of The Weakest Link was that Anne (or to be more accurate, Anne's character on the show) insulted everyone that came on. If you were applying to be a contestant, you surely knew that was going to happen.

[tellyblues]

The problem with TXF is that it doesn't promise a career in music anymore. Also, the audience whom the show is aimed at are more sceptical nowadays about getting involved after the horror stories of previous contestants and those from reality shows in general, plus they can't influence the charts like they did with Leona Lewis etc so the end goal the show promises is negligible.

BGT hasn't nosedived as much as TXF partly because what you get for winning hasn't changed but it is in danger of losing more viewers if it loses its variety. Half of the finalists last year were magic acts. The year before it was 4 out of 11. Perhaps it's because contestants in other genres aren't seen to "up their game" from their audition but it's a lot to ask amateur performers - particularly kids - to do that in contrast to those who already have years of experience in showbusiness.

[JAS84]

And the whole point of The Weakest Link was that Anne (or to be more accurate, Anne's character on the show) insulted everyone that came on. If you were applying to be a contestant, you surely knew that was going to happen.

Well, from series 2 anyway. Series 1 contestants wouldn't have known that, as they couldn't have seen the show in advance.

[Jez_CymruWales]

No surprise at this news, they seemed to make a big deal of it on GMB this morning maybe to highlight the fact it wont be back (despite saying there is an option for it to return in 2023, but you could say that about most axed series that they 'could' return in the future).

The X Factor was event television during its first 8 years or so, everyone talked about it and it was one of the biggest shows on a Saturday night. Unfortunately like with most series they milked it for all its worth and the last few series with the constant changes to the judges panel plus putting more and more joke acts into the live shows made it go downhill fast. Then they replaced it with a celebrity series and X Factor The Band for its final year.

Personally I wouldn't be sorry to see BGT go either, another show that has been milked for all its worth and to be honest I've not missed it being on this year one bit.