X-FACTOR

The X Factor (TV series)For the original UK version, see The X Factor (UK)

The X Factoris 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).

Contents

1 Format

1.1 Variations in the format

2 The X Factor series

3 Dispute over rights to format

4 Euro X Factor

5 Criticism

6 References

7 External links

FormatThe 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 single most important attribute that the judges are seeking, however, is the ability to appeal to a mass market of pop fans.

The competitions are usually split into three categories: vocal groups (including duos), solo singers aged 14–24, and solo singers aged 25 and over.

There are four stages to The X Factor competition:

Stage 1: Auditions

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 formatThere 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:

Arabia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria and Tunisia.

United Kingdom: Ireland and United Kingdom

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, 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 theUKand Colombia.

The X Factor seriesRegion/country Local title Network Series and winners Judges Main presenters

Arabia The X Factor, XSeer Al Najah

Rotana Tv Series 1, 2006

Khaled

Micheal Alfteriades

Anoshka

Australia The X Factor Network Ten Series 1, 2005: Random

Mark Holden

Kate Ceberano

John Reid

Daniel MacPherson

Belgium X Factor

VTM Series 1, 2005: Udo Mechels

Jean Blaute

Kris Wauters

Liliane Saint-Pierre

Koen Wauters

Colombia El Factor X

RCN TV Series 1, 2005: Julio César Meza

Series 2, 2006: Francisco Villareal

Marbelle

Juan Carlos Coronel

José Gaviria

Andrea Serna

The X Factor: Battle of the Stars

Series 1, 2006:Luz Amparo Alvarez

The XS Factor

Series 1, 2006:Andres

Series 2, 2007:Camilo

Marbelle

José Gaviria

Juan Carlos Coronel (Series 1)

Wilfrido Vargas (Series 2)

Czech Republic X Factor TV Nova Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series

Gábina Osvaldová

Ondřej Soukup

Petr Janda Leoš Mareš

Denmark X-Factor DR 1 Series 1, 2008:

Remee

Lina Rafn

Thomas Blachman

Lise Rønne

Finland X Factor Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series

Iceland The X Factor

Series 1, 2006: Jógvan Hansen

Einar Bárðarson

Elínborg Halldórsdóttir

Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson

Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir

Italy X Factor

website

Rai Due

Series 1, 2008

Mara Maionchi

Morgan (Marco Castoldi)

Simona Ventura

Francesco Facchinetti

Kazakhstan The X Factor

Series 1, 2006

Morocco Le Facteur X

2M TV

Series 1, 2006

Studio 2M

Series 1, 2007

Netherlands X Factor

RTL 4

Series 1, 2006: Sharon Kips

Marianne van Wijnkoop

Henk Temming

Henkjan Smits

Wendy van Dijk

Portugal Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series

Russia Секрет Успеха

Russia TV Channel

Series 1, 2005: Vladimir Sapovskiy

Valeriy Meladze

Katerina Von Gechmen-Valdek

Aleksandr Revzin

Aleksey Chumakov

Elena Vorobey

Spain Factor X

Cuatro

Seires 1, 2007: María Villalón

Miqui Puig

Eva Perales

Jorge Flo

Nuria Roca

United Kingdom The X Factor

website

ITV (UK)

ITV2 (UK)

TV3 (Ireland)

Series 1, 2004: Steve Brookstein

Series 2, 2005: Shayne Ward

Series 3, 2006: Leona Lewis

Series 4, 2007: Leon Jackson

Simon Cowell

(Series 1 – present)

Sharon Osbourne

(Series 1 – present)

Louis Walsh

(Series 1 – present)

Dannii Minogue

(Series 4 – present)

Paula Abdul

(Series 3 at audition stages)

Brian Friedman

(Series 4 at audition stages)

Kate Thornton

(Series 1 – 3)

Dermot O'Leary

(Series 4 – present)

The X Factor: Battle of the Stars

Series 1, 2006: Lucy Benjamin

Simon Cowell

Sharon Osbourne

Louis Walsh

Kate Thornton

As part ofSimon Cowell's deal to remain onAmerican Idol, a United States version of The X Factor cannot be produced.

Dispute over rights to formatSimon 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.[2] 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.

Euro X FactorIt was revealed by the Daily Mirror newspaper on 9 December 2006 thatSimon Cowellhas intentions of launching a "Euro X Factor" within two years.[4] 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 theEurovision 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.

CriticismThe 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 towards the participants and equate almost to serfdom to DR1 (the channel airing the show), citing amongst other things that clauses in the contracts forbid the participants - whether they pass the first round or not - from performing or participating in any musical event for three months. He also criticises that participants are obligated to travel, for their own money, to any location that programme requires them to be present at, and that participants are not paid during their participation with the show, even if participating prevents them from attending a regular day job.

References1. ^ "Dannii Minogue 2007 interview", YouTube RELEVANT SECTION FROM 3:08, 16 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.

2. ^ "X Factor copyright case adjourned", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007

3. ^ "X Factor copyright case settled", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007

4. ^ "EURO FACTOR EXCLUSIVE", The Mirror, 9 December 2006.

5. ^ , 'Berlingske Tidende', 18th of December 2007

External linksThe X Factor at itv.com

The X Factor Official MySpace page

X Factor Official site of X Factor Denmark at DR

The X Factor at talkbackthames.tv

The X Factor - Show News & Gossip at thexfactor.com

The X Factor at Unreality TV

The X Factor Gifts Official Gift Shop

The Official site of The X Factor - Italy Official site of X Factor Italy