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The X Factor (television series)
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- For the original UK version, see The X Factor (UK)
Map showing countries with a version of The X Factor.
The X Factor is a television music talent show franchise originating in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for the massively successful Pop Idol. The competitions, now held in various countries, are contested by aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality. The prize is usually a recording contract (in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants).
Format
The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. Some acts also accompany themselves on guitar or piano, though almost always over a backing track.
The competitions are usually split into four categories: vocal groups (including duos), solo female singers aged 14–24, solo male singers aged 14-24 and solo singers aged 25 and over (both males and females).[1]
There are four stages to The X Factor competition:
- Stage 1: Auditions (first is the one with the producers and if you get a gold ticket you go through to the second audition where you see the judges)
- Stage 2: Boot camp (successful auditionees undergo a further selection procedure)
- Stage 3: Visits to judges' houses (finalists are chosen)
- Stage 4: Live shows (finals)
Variations in the format
- There are two special pan-regional versions of The X Factor. These follow the normal The X Factor format with the exception that contestants come from different countries in the region where it airs:
- In the fourth UK series the age limit was lowered from 16 to 14, creating a 14–24 age group. This was split into separate male and female sections,[2] making four categories in all: 14–24 males ("boys"), 14–24 females ("girls"), 25-and-overs, and groups.
- The X Factor:Battle of the Stars is a celebrity special edition of The X Factor in the UK and Colombia.
The X Factor series
| Region/country |
Local title |
Network |
Series and winners |
Judges |
Presenters |
| Arabia |
The X Factor, XSeer Al Najah
|
Rotana TV |
Series 1, 2006: Rajaa Kasbani
Series 2, 2007: Mohammad Al Majthoub
|
Khaled
Micheal Alfteriades
Anoshka
|
|
 Australia |
The X Factor |
Network Ten |
Series 1, 2005: Random
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Mark Holden
Kate Ceberano
John Reid
|
Daniel MacPherson |
 Belgium |
X Factor
|
vtm |
Series 1, 2005: Udo Mechels
Series 2, 2008: Current Series
|
Kris Wauters
Jean Blaute(Series 1)
Liliane Saint-Pierre (Series 1)
Do (singer) (Series 2)
Maurice Engelen (Series 2)
|
Koen Wauters (Series 1)
Hadise (Series 2)
|
 Colombia |
El Factor X
|
RCN TV |
Series 1, 2005: Julio César Meza
Series 2, 2006: Francisco Villareal
|
Marbelle
Juan Carlos Coronel
José Gaviria
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Andrea Serna |
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
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Series 1, 2006:Luz Amparo Alvarez
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The XS Factor
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Series 1, 2006:Andres
Series 2, 2007:Camilo
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Marbelle
José Gaviria
Juan Carlos Coronel (Series 1)
Wilfrido Vargas (Series 2)
|
 Czech Republic |
X Factor |
TV Nova |
Series 1, 2008: Jiří (George) Zonyga
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Gábina Osvaldová
Ondřej Soukup
Petr Janda |
Leoš Mareš |
 Denmark |
X Factor |
DR |
Series 1, 2008: Martin Hoberg Hedegaard |
Remee
Lina Rafn
Thomas Blachman
|
Lise Rønne |
 France |
|
|
|
|
 Greece |
The X Factor
[2]
|
ANT1 |
Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series
|
Giwrgos Leventis
Giwrgos Theofanous
Katerina Kakgaki
Nikos Mouratidis
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Sakis Rouvas[3]
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 India |
Fame X |
|
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 Iceland |
The X Factor
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Series 1, 2006: Jógvan Hansen
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Einar Bárðarson
Elínborg Halldórsdóttir
Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson
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Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir
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 Italy |
X Factor (Italy)
website
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Rai Due
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Series 1, 2008
Aram Quartet
Series 2, February 2009
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Mara Maionchi
Morgan (Marco Castoldi)
Simona Ventura
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Francesco Facchinetti |
 Kazakhstan |
The X Factor
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Series 1, 2006
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 Morocco |
Le Facteur X
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2M TV
|
Series 1, 2006
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|
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Studio 2M
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Series 1, 2007
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|
 Netherlands |
X Factor
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RTL 4
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Series 1, 2006: Sharon Kips
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Marianne van Wijnkoop
Henk Temming
Henkjan Smits
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Wendy van Dijk
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 Portugal |
|
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Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series
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|
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 Russia |
Секрет Успеха
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Russia TV Channel
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Series 1, 2005: Vladimir Sapovskiy
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Valeriy Meladze
Katerina Von Gechmen-Valdek
Aleksandr Revzin
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Aleksey Chumakov
Elena Vorobey
|
 Spain |
Factor X
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Cuatro
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Series 1, 2007: María Villalón
Series 2, 2008: Current Series
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Miqui Puig
Eva Perales
Jorge Flo
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Nuria Roca |
 Turkey |
|
|
|
|
 United Kingdom |
The X Factor
website
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ITV
ITV2
TV3 Ireland
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Series 1, 2004: Steve Brookstein
Series 2, 2005: Shayne Ward
Series 3, 2006: Leona Lewis
Series 4, 2007: Leon Jackson
Series 5, 2008: Current Series
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Simon Cowell
(2004 – present)
Louis Walsh
(2004 – present)
Dannii Minogue
(2007 – present)
Cheryl Cole
(2008 – present)
-----------
Sharon Osbourne
(2004 – 2007)
Brian Friedman
(2007 auditions)
Paula Abdul
(2006 auditions)
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Kate Thornton
(2004 – 2006)
Dermot O'Leary
(2007 – present)
Ben Shepherd
(2004-2006)
Fearne Cotton
(2007)
Holly Willoughby
(2008-present)
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The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
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Series 1, 2006: Lucy Benjamin
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As part of Simon Cowell's deal to remain on American Idol, a United States version of The X Factor cannot be produced.
Dispute over rights to format
Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, claimed that the format of The X Factor was copied from his own show, and, through his company 19 TV, filed a lawsuit against The X Factor producers FremantleMedia, Simon Cowell and Cowell's companies Simco and Syco.[4] A High Court hearing began in London, England in November 2005, and the outcome was awaited with interest by media lawyers for its potential effect on the legal situation regarding the copyrighting of formats. However, in the event the hearing was quickly adjourned and an out-of-court settlement was reached at the end of the month.[5]
Euro X Factor
It was revealed by the Daily Mirror newspaper on 9 December 2006 that Simon Cowell has intentions of launching a "Euro X Factor" within two years.[6] The show, if launched, would feature European countries staging their own X Factor contests, with a winner announced for each. The individual winners would then take part in the "Euro X Factor". The concept is similar to that of World Idol and the Eurovision Song Contest; however, unlike these shows "Euro X Factor" would progress over a number of weeks, with one act eliminated each week, until an eventual international winner is found. It is anticipated that such a show could attract over 100 million viewers per episode, which would make it the world's biggest talent competition.
Irish X-Factor
On an episode of TV3's Xposé aired on August 15, 2008. Simon Cowell hinted at a possible launch for an Irish edition of the X Factor series.
Criticism
The Danish version of The X Factor has been criticized by Danish music-contract expert and consultant for The Danish Musicians' Association (Dansk Musiker Forbund) Mikael Højris.
According to Højris, the contracts for participation in the show are unfair for participants and almost amount to serfdom to DR1 (the channel airing the show), stating that clauses in the contracts forbid the participants - whether they pass the first round or not - from performing or participating in any other musical event for three months. He also criticises the fact that participants are obliged to travel at their own expense to any location that programme requires them to be present at, and that participants are not paid during their participation in the show, even if participating prevents them from attending a regular day job.[7]
References
- ^ "X Factor official UK site", X Factor site ref: contestant's age groups. Retrieved on 2008-09-28.
- ^ "Dannii Minogue 2007 interview", YouTube RELEVANT SECTION FROM 3:08 (16 August 2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Ο Σάκης παρουσιαστής του Χ Factor" (in Greek). MAD TV. Retrieved on 2008-07-19.
- ^ "X Factor copyright case adjourned", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ^ "X Factor copyright case settled", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ^ "EURO FACTOR EXCLUSIVE", The Mirror, 9 December 2006.
- ^ [1], 'Berlingske Tidende', 18th of December 2007
External links
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The X Factor |
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