The X Factor (TV series)

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

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).

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

[edit] 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 three categories: vocal groups (including duos), solo singers aged 14–24, and solo singers aged 25 and over.^{[citation needed]}

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 were 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)

[edit] 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:
  • Arabia: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria and Tunisia.
  • United Kingdom: United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland
• 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,^[1] 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.

[edit] The X Factor series

Region/country	Local title	Network	Series and winners	Judges	Main 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	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: Jiří (George) Zonyga	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
Finland	X Factor		Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series
France
Greece	The X Factor [2]	ANT1	Series 1, 2008: Upcoming series
India	Fame X
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 Aram Quartet Series 2, February 2009	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
Turkey
United Kingdom	The X Factor website	ITV ITV2 TV3 (Ireland)	Series 1, 2004: Steve Brookstein Series 2, 2005: Shayne Ward Series 3, 2006: Leona Lewis Series 4, 2007: Leon Jackson Series 5, 2008: TBA	Simon Cowell (2004 – present) Louis Walsh (2004 – present) Dannii Minogue (2007 – Cheryl Colepresent) ----------- Sharon Osbourne (2004 – 2008) Brian Friedman (2007 auditions)	Kate Thornton (2004 – 2006) Dermot O'Leary (2007 – present)
	The X Factor: Battle of the Stars		Series 1, 2006: Lucy Benjamin

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

[edit] 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.^[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.^[3]

[edit] 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.^[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 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.

[edit] 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.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The 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

v • d • e The X Factor National franchises United Kingdom (original) • Australia • Belgium • Colombia • Czech Republic • Denmark • Iceland • Netherlands • Russia • Spain International franchises Arabia