[zakman440]

LOS ANGELES – August 6, 2014 – Cable’s premier music entertainment channel AXS TV is the official U.S. broadcast home for the upcoming eleventh season of the international mega-hit The X Factor UK. AXS TV has signed an agreement with FremantleMedia International (FMI) and Syco Entertainment, bringing the flagship UK version of the popular singing competition to the United States for the first time ever. The brainchild of world-renowned producer and music expert Simon Cowell, The X Factor UK is co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK).

Season 11 will feature a pair of famous faces that will be instantly recognizable to American audiences, as Cowell makes his much anticipated return to the panel for the first time in three years. Additionally, former Spice Girl and America’s Got Talent fan-favorite Mel B will make her first appearance as a full-time judge, after previously serving as a guest on the series. Joining the duo is UK pop singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who is also returning for the first time in three years, and esteemed music manager Louis Walsh, making his eleventh consecutive appearance since 2004. Award-winning broadcaster and host, Dermot O’Leary, will host the festivities, while also providing support to the aspiring stars.

The X Factor UK contestants compete in two sets of audition rounds, taking place across the UK in Manchester, London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. In the initial closed room auditions, contestants will find themselves face-to-face with the judges for the first time. If they impress the panel and receive three or more “yes” votes, they will move on to perform in a packed arena in front of a live audience. AXS TV will air all 34 episodes of the series, beginning with the opening audition shows, in addition to special boot camp installments and live broadcasts.

The X Factor UK airs on AXS TV Sundays and Mondays starting August 31 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, 24 hours after the respective UK broadcasts. Each program will re-air the same night after the first broadcast.

THE X FACTOR Weekly Broadcast Schedule on AXS TV

Sundays

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Episode 1 – US Premiere – August 31/same night re-air

Mondays

8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Episode 2 – US Premiere – September 1/same night re-air

The last season of The X Factor UK continued its ratings success, attracting up to 11.2 million viewers, and exceeding the UK’s ITV’s primetime average across all demographics—performing exceptionally well for young adults ages 16-34. Over the past decade, The X Factor UK has set the benchmark in finding worldwide superstars, producing acts such as chart-topping boy band sensation One Direction; Grammy-nominated “Bleeding Love” songstress Leona Lewis; and pop stars Olly Murs and Cher Lloyd; R&B quartet JLS; and Little Mix, the first group in the history of The X Factor to win the competition. To date, every X Factor UK winner has achieved a No. 1 single in the UK music charts.

“The X Factor UK is a perfect addition to the AXS TV lineup, as we continue to showcase the best music programming on television,” said AXS TV founder Mark Cuban. “The level of talent that the series has produced is unprecedented, and to have Simon Cowell back as a judge – I’m confident that our audience will embrace these new stars wholeheartedly. I’m proud that AXS TV has the opportunity to be at the forefront of this popular music franchise to showcase talented vocalists.”

Sheila Aguirre, SVP International Distribution, Latin America & US Hispanic, FremantleMedia International said: “The X Factor UK has been one of the most successful entertainment shows in the UK for over a decade. Each season, the series continues to pull in the big audiences and creates an incredible buzz. With the return of Simon Cowell, season 11 is primed to be one of the best seasons yet! We look forward to working with AXS TV to bring this staple of the UK’s autumn schedule to the US.”

“The X Factor UK is our flagship production and the world leader in entertainment formats,” says George Levendis, Head of International for Syco Entertainment. “The show’s production values are unmatched and it has created enormous buzz across the US social media over the last few years. This is the first time we are bringing the UK series to a US broadcaster. We are excited that fans of The X Factor will be able to follow the development of these future stars on AXS TV.”

The X Factor is a global hit entertainment format that is now produced in 48 territories and has been watched by over 350 million viewers worldwide. The X Factor franchise has discovered and launched more international breakout artists than any other singing competition show, with X Factor artists amassing a combined global total of more than 160 million record sales. The Syco Entertainment owned and created format is co-produced/licensed by FremantleMedia worldwide.

http://www.axs.tv/press_articles/axs...e-x-factor-uk/

So the article kind of confirms that it's starting in the UK on the 30th August. Thoughts?

[JoshBB]

So we've only got 3 weeks til it starts then, yay! I live in the UK anyway tho

[BBfanUSA]

I wish I still had AXS.

[Jack_]

That's really cool actually X Factor UK is pretty popular in the US amongst fans of One Direction etc for obvious reasons so this'll be good for them

Nice to get near confirmation of the premier date too and the fact there's 34 episodes. Five rooms, five arenas, two Bootcamp, two Judges Houses and 20 live/result shows anyone?