X Factor

The original series of Pop Idol was either side of the New Year, albeit 18 years ago now, so you never know!

I don't think that's quite true. In consolidated ratings XF still edges The Voice (or it did do up until last year).

Much is made of The Voice audience drop-off but it's nowhere near as bad as XF. 2018 figures attached. XF Auditions, Six Chair & Judges Houses are far more popular than live shows. Which is a problem given that the Celeb version's main focus is on Live Shows.

In hindsight, X Factor : The Band is probably a better premise than the Celeb version, so they should have done a main series of XF: The Band and a 1 week Celeb series. The Band will probably be rushed in 1 week and could have had a proper weekly audition element whereas Celeb feels really stretched out weekly.

Do we know if the celeb series will last as long as originally planned? It could be that they cut it short.

According to Applause Store, they have shows up until Saturday 23rd November 2019.

I wonder if they'll be using any elements of the format of La Banda which is another Syco/Fremantle format that has had some success around the world but never sold in the UK.

I wouldn't be surprised if this a British La Banda in all but name.

Even with my knowledge of Spanish, I can tell you it’s the same name bolted onto The X Factor brand.

Trying to put aside that I think Simons completely lost the plot. I personally think it would have made much more sense to put X-Factor: The Band on first with the more spread out episodes, I get the impression celebs going to be a drag and The Band version is going to be rushed through and chaotic. I'm expecting some dodgy production once we get to Birmingham!

I suspect this band X Factor, is to try and upset the Little Mix one there doing on the BBC and was a last-minute decision. All this drivel Simon comes out with to the press about having the 'idea first' and were 'always going to do it' just makes the whole thing look more desperate...

Also on another note, why do we need The X Factor branding on everything? He should have just done his La Banda format, I think Simon is part of the problem (he does AGT, BGT still and their spin-offs) just realise The X Factor brand is tarnished! Try a new format (La banda has done quite well in some countries) and let some new fresh judges have a go. You might not be a judge any more on the show but at least if La Banda was a success in the UK, it's still 'simons' format - rather than risking The Masked Singer taking it's a spot (if that goes down well).

Also on my final note, by doing all these versions of The X Factor and you got The Voice; they're taking away the excitement for The Masked Signer? No one is going to be able to stomach more singing in the space of 1 year. Have ITV thought about that?

Rather than wait till the New Year would like to see ITV try the Masked Singer in the post- Christmas lull. I think it would do as well from Sat 28th Dec - Sat 4th Jan, with a night off for New Years Eve, as it would a week later. Should rate better than yet another Harry Potter rerun too.

I’d rather have the Masked Singer on Sundays rather than Saturdays. With Saturday Night Takeaway being back, and the Voice airing, there’s not much space in the Saturday schedule.

I can see the Masked Singer struggling simply because the two X factor formats might bring singing show fatigue no matter how great a format is. The first exit's on that are key as well - don't want the majority of audience going who?

If I were a singer wanting to join a band I'd probably hold out for the Little Mix show rather than something thrown together in a panic.