Simon Cowell talks about The X Factor's future
Simon Cowell has spoken about the future of The X Factor following its ratings drop this series.
This past weekend saw The X Factor pull in audiences of only 4.44 million for Saturday and 4.58 million for Sunday, although it remains one of the most-watched programmes on ITV, even if its ratings are less than half that of Strictly Come Dancing.
In an interview with Music Week, Simon has reflected on what the show needs to do in order to carry on going.
"I remember the year Leona Lewis came on [2006] and when she did 'Summertime' on the live show, it was one of the best performances I've ever heard," he recalled.
"If we can still find people like that – and the same goes with Got Talent as well – then we've got a long future. It's only when you don't put enough attention into the contestants that I think we have a problem."
Since it started in 2004, acts discovered through The X Factor have achieved 44 UK No.1 singles and 25 No.1 albums, with more than 300 million records sold worldwide.
The latest series has also seen a lack of novelty acts like Honey G and Jedward, with Simon explaining his reasons for the change. "When you're making the show, you can sometimes think too much about being a television producer," he said.
"You try and tick every box and then it becomes a bit formulaic. So you end up with a novelty act in the final and therefore, by putting a novelty act through, somebody else didn't get a chance, and I didn't feel comfortable with that."
The X Factor's semi-final airs this Saturday (November 25) and Sunday (November 26) on ITV.
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