The X Factor is a television music competition franchise created by Simon Cowell and his company SYCOtv. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol. It is now held in various countries. The contestants are aspiring pop singers drawn from public competitive auditions. The programmes are produced by executive producer Simon Cowell and his company SYCOtv. 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.
Unlike Idols, where the judges only critique the contestants' performances, on The X Factor each judge "mentors" the finalists in a particular category, aiding them with song selection and styling, while also participating together in judging the contestants in the other categories. Not only Idols, but also new singing shows such as The Voice, The Four and All Together Now have become rivals and popular in recent years.
Similar to Got Talent, the franchise maintains a YouTube channel, called X Factor Global. The channel uploads clips of X Factor shows from around the world. The channel currently has over 3 million subscribers. There are many more channels like this. Additionally, many individual X Factor shows have their own YouTube channels such as X Factor India.
International versions[]
The X Factor[]
| Country | Title | Network | Judges | Host(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania Kosovo |
X Factor | TV Klan | Current: Adi Krasta, Arilena Ara, Young Zerka Former: Pandi Laço, Alban Skënderaj, Vesa Luma, Juliana Pasha, Altuna Sejdiu, Soni Malaj, Miriam Cani, Bleona Qereti, Elhaida Dani |
Alketa Vejsiu |
| Arab World | سير النجاحX The X Factor |
Rotana | Nelly, Michel Elefteriades, Khaled El Sheikh, Anoushka | Nathalie Maamary, Joelle Rahme |
| CBC | Carole Samaha, Hussain Al Jasmi, Wael Kfoury, Elissa | Yosra El Lozy, Bassel Alzaro | ||
| MBC1 | Elissa, Donia Samir Ghanem, Ragheb Alama | Bassel Alzaro, Wael Mansour, Daniella Rahme | ||
| Dubai TV, DMC Egypt | Current: Ragheb Alama, Angham, Abdallah Al Rowaished Former: Donia Samir Ghanem, Saber Rebaï, Najwa Karam, Majid Al Mohandis |
Current: Sheema Former: Samer al-Masry, Rami Radwan, Maryam Said | ||
| Armenia | Իքս-Ֆակտոր X Factor |
Shant TV | Egor Glumov, Garik Papoyan, Gisane Palyan, Naira Gyurjinyan, André, Emmy, Erik Karapetyan, Shushanik Arevshatyan | Aram Mp3, Grisha Aghakhanyan, Avet Barseghyan |
| Australia | The X Factor | Network Ten | Mark Holden, Kate Ceberano, John Reid | Daniel MacPherson |
| Seven Network | Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating, Kyle Sandilands, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Mel B, Dannii Minogue, Redfoo, James Blunt, Chris Isaak, Iggy Azalea, Adam Lambert | Luke Jacobz, Jason Dundas | ||
| Balkan countries | X Factor Adria | TV Sitel, Federalna, RTV Pink, RTL, Prva, RTRS | Željko Joksimović, Emina Jahović, Kiki Lesendrić, Kristina Kovač, Aleksandra Kovač, Massimo Savić, Tonči Huljić | Ana Grubin, Antonija Blaće (live shows) Bane Jevtić, Snezana Velkov (auditions backstage) Una Senić (judges' houses) Antonija Blaće, Aleksandar Radojičić (selection process) Nikolina Pišek (backstage host) |
| Belarus | X Factor Belarus | BTRC | Olga Buzova, Sergey Sosedov, Ruslan Alekhno, Seryoga | Vladimir Bogdan, Marianna Murenkova |
| Factor BY | Current: Olga Buzova, Denis Klyaver, Stanislav Yarushin, Vladimir Grumov Former: Sergey Sosedov, Ruslan Alekhno, Seryoga, Yosyf Pryhozhyn | |||
| Belgium | X Factor | VTM | Kris Wauters, Jean Blaute, Liliane Saint-Pierre, Maurice Engelen, Do | Koen Wauters, Hadise |
| Bolivia | Factor X Bolivia | Red Uno | Ángel López, Andrés Barba, Mayra Gonzales, Matamba, Chris Syler | Carlos Rocabado, Ximena Zalzer |
| Brazil | X Factor | Rede Bandeirantes, TNT | Rick Bonadio, Alinne Rosa, Di Ferrero, Paulo Miklos | Fernanda Paes Leme (main host) Maurício Meirelles (correspondent) |
| Bulgaria | X Factor | Nova TV | Maga, Maria Ilieva, Poli Genova, Vasko Vasilev, Lubo Kirov, Sanya Armutlieva, Zaki, Krisko, Lucy Diakovska, Magarditch Halvadjian | Deo, Maria Ignatova, Alexandra Raeva |
| Cambodia | X Factor Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV | Aok Sokunkanha, Khemarak Sereymun, Nop Bayyareth, Sok Seylalin | Chea Vibol, Chan Keonimol |
| Chile | Factor X | TVN | Tito Beltrán, Karen Doggenweiler, Zeta Bosio, Mon Laferte, José Luis Rodríguez | Julián Elfenbein |
| China | The X Factor: 激情唱响 The X Factor: Passionate Singer |
Liaoning TV | Angie Chai Chih-ping, Aduo, Chen Ming, Chen Yufan | Da Zuo, Shao Wenjie |
| The X Factor: 中国最强音 The X Factor: China's Strongest Voice |
Hunan TV | Eason Chan Yik-shun, Lo Ta-yu, Zheng Jun, Zhang Ziyi | Zhu Dan, He Jiong | |
| Colombia | El Factor X | RCN Televisión | Current: José Gaviria, Rosana, Piso 21, Carolina Gaitán Former: Marbelle, Juan Carlos Coronel |
Current: Laura González Former: Andrea Serna, Karen Martínez, Mauricio Vélez |
| El Factor X: Batalla de las Estrellas | Marbelle, José Gaviria, Juan Carlos Coronel | Andrea Serna | ||
| El Factor Xs | Marbelle, José Gaviria, Juan Carlos Coronel, Wilfrido Vargas | |||
| El Factor X Familia | Marbelle, José Gaviria, Juan Carlos Coronel, Reykon | |||
| Czech Republic | X Factor | TV Nova | Gabriela Osvaldová, Ondřej Soukup, Petr Janda | Leoš Mareš |
| Czech Republic Slovakia |
X Factor | TV Prima, TV JOJ | Celeste Buckingham, Ondřej Brzobohatý, Sisa Sklovská, Oto Klempíŕ | Martin Rausch |
| Denmark | X Factor | DR1 | Thomas Blachman, Lina Rafn, Remee, Soulshock, Pernille Rosendahl, Cutfather, Ida Corr, Anne Linnet, Mette Lindberg, Sanne Salomonsen | Lise Rønne, Signe Muusman, Signe Molde, Eva Harlou, Sofie Linde Ingversen, Joakim Ingversen |
| TV 2 | Current: Thomas Blachman, Oh Land, Simon Kvamm Former: Ankerstjerne, Martin Jensen, Kwamie Liv |
Current: Maria Fantino Former: Lise Rønne, Sofie Linde Ingversen | ||
| Ecuador | Factor X Kids Ecuador | Ecuavisa | Jorge Luis del Hierro, Pamela Cortéz, Maykel Cedeño | Ursula Strenge |
| Finland | X Factor | MTV3 | Linda Brava, Renne Korppila, Gugi Kokljuschkin, Saara Aalto, Michael Monroe, Mikael Gabriel, Suvi Teräsniska | Heikki Paasonen, Ile Uusivuori, Viivi Pumpanen |
| France Belgium (French) |
X Factor | W9, RTL-TVI | Marc Cerrone, Julie Zenatti, Alain Lanty | Alexandre Devoise |
| M6, RTL-TVI | Henry Padovani, Olivier Schultheis, Véronic DiCaire, Christophe Willem | Sandrine Corman | ||
| Georgia | X ფაქტორი X Factor Georgia |
Rustavi 2 | Giorgi Gabunia, Tamta, Sopho Toroshelidze, Stephane Mgebrishvili, Sofia Nizharadze, Anri Jokhadze, Nina Sublatti, Nika Gvaramia, Dato Porchkhidze, Lela Tsurtsumia | Gega Palavandishvili, la Sukhitashvili, Giorgi Kipshidze, Ruska Makashvili, Erekle Getsadze, Vaniko Tarkhnishvili |
| Imedi TV | Tamta, Stephane Mgebrishvili, Anri Jokhadze, Naniko Khazaradze, Dato Evgenidze | Ruska Makashvili, Vaniko Tarkhnishvili | ||
| Germany | X Factor | VOX | Sarah Connor, Till Brönner, George Glueck, Das Bo, Sandra Nasic, HP Baxxter, Moses Pelham | Jochen Schropp |
| Sky 1 | Sido, Iggy Uriarte, Jennifer Rostock, Thomas Anders | Charlotte Würdig, Bence Istenes (main hosts) Janin Reinhardt (correspondent) | ||
| Greece Cyprus |
The X Factor | ANT1 | Giorgos Theofanous, George Levendis, Katerina Gagaki, Nikos Mouratidis | Sakis Rouvas (main host) Giorgos Lianos, Despina Kampouri, Maria Sinatsaki (auditions) |
| Skai TV, Sigma TV | Giorgos Theofanous, Tamta, Peggy Zina, Thodoris Marantinis, Giorgos Papadopoulos, Babis Stokas, Giorgos Mazonakis | Sakis Rouvas (main host) Evangelia Aravani (backstage host) | ||
| Open TV, Omega TV Cyprus | Giorgos Theofanous, Melina Aslanidou, Michael Tsaousopoulos, Christos Mastoras | Despina Vandi (main host) Aris Makris (backstage host) | ||
| Mega Channel, Alpha TV Cyprus | Christos Mastoras, Mariza Rizou, Michalis Kouinelis, Stelios Rokkos | Andreas Georgiou (main host) Ilias Bogdanos, Katerina Lioliou (backstage host) | ||
| Hungary | X-Faktor | RTL | Current: Laci Gáspár, Péter Majoros, Milán Valkusz, Andrea Tóth Former: Peti Puskás, ByeAlex, Erika Herceg, Péter Geszti, Ildikó Keresztes, Miklós Malek, Feró Nagy, Róbert Alföldi, Róbert Szikora, Gabi Tóth, Little G Weevil, Gigi Radics, Bogi Dallos, Adél Csobot |
Current: Dávid Miller, Joci Pápai Former: Nóra Ördög, Balázs Sebestyén, Lilu, Bence Istenes, Ramóna Kiss (main hosts) Dóra Kovács, Alexandra Koholák, Zsófi Szabó (backstage hosts) |
| Iceland | X Factor | Stöð 2 | Einar Bárðarson, Elínborg Halldórsdóttir, Páll Óskar Hjálmtýsson | Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir |
| India | X Factor India | Sony Entertainment Television | Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sanjay Leela, Bhansali | Aditya Narayan |
| Indonesia | X Factor Indonesia | RCTI | Current: Judika, Marcello Tahitoe, Bunga Citra Lestari, Ariel "Noah", Vidi Aldiano Former: Anggun, Ahmad Dhani, Bebi Romeo, Rossa, Afgan, Anang Hermansyah |
Robby Purba |
| Iran | Stage | Manoto | Shahram Azar, Hamed Nikpay, Babak Saeedi, Reza Rohani | Raha Etemadi |
| Israel | The X Factor ישראל The X Factor Israel |
Channel 2, Reshet | Moshe Peretz, Ivri Lider, Rami Fortiz, Shiri Maimon | Bar Refaeli |
| Reshet 13 | Moshe Peretz, Ivri Lider, Shiri Maimon, Subliminal, Netta Barzilai, Ran Danker, Aviv Geffen, Margol, Miri Mesika | Bar Refaeli, Liron Weizman | ||
| Italy | X Factor | Rai 2 | Morgan, Mara Maionchi, Simona Ventura, Claudia Mori, Anna Tatangelo, Enrico Ruggeri, Elio | Francesco Facchinetti |
| Sky Uno, TV8 | Current: Manuel Agnelli, Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Achille Lauro Former: Morgan, Mara Maionchi, Simona Ventura, Elio, Arisa, Mika, Victoria Cabello, Skin, Álvaro Soler, Levante, Asia Argento, Samuel, Malika Ayane, Sfera Ebbasta, Emma Marrone, Hell Raton, Rkomi, Fedez, Ambra Angiolini, Dargen D'Amico |
Current: Giorgia Former: Alessandro Cattelan, Ludovico Tersigni, Francesca Michielin | ||
| Japan | X Factor Okinawa Japan | Okinawa TV | Kaz Utsunomiya, Rino Nakasone, Kiyoshi Matsuo | Jon Kabira, Naomi Watanabe |
| Kazakhstan | X Factor | Channel One Eurasia | Current: Nurbergen Makhambetov, Eva Becher, Dilnaz Akhmadieva Former: Nagima Eskalieva, Alexander Shevchenko, Sultana Karazhigitova, Ismail Igіlmanov, Erlan Kokeev, Anatoliy Tsoy |
Current: Arnur Istybaev Former: Adil Liyan, Daniyar Dzumadilov |
| Latvia | X Faktors | TV3 | Reinis Sējāns, Aija Auškāpa, Intars Busulis, Marats Ogļezņevs | Markus Riva |
| Lithuania | X Faktorius | TV3 | Current: Saulius Prūsaitis, Saulius Urbonavičius, Marijonas Mikutavičius, Justina Arlauskaitė-Jazzu Former: Vytautas Šapranauskas, Rūta Ščiogolevaitė, Andrius Mamontovas |
Current: Mindaugas Stasiulis, Mindaugas Rainys Former: Marijonas Mikutavičius, Martynas Starkus |
| X Faktorius. Žvaigždės | Saulius Prūsaitis, Saulius Urbonavičius, Marijonas Mikutavičius, Justina Arlauskaitė-Jazzu | Mindaugas Stasiulis, Mindaugas Rainys | ||
| Malta | X Factor Malta | TVM | Current: Howard Keith, Debono, Ira Losco, Gianluca Bezzina, Amber Bondin Former: Ray Mercieca, Alexandra Alden, Ivan Grech, Philippa Naudi |
Current: Gianni Zammit Former: Ben Camille |
| Myanmar | The X Factor Myanmar | MRTV 4 | Si Thu Lwin, Nge Nge, Eaint Chit, Za War, Zam Nuu | Zaw Htet, Hmu Thiha Thu |
| Netherlands | X Factor | RTL 4 | Henkjan Smits, Marianne van Wijnkoop, Henk Temming, Eric van Tijn, Stacey Rookhuizen, Angela Groothuizen, Gordon Heuckeroth, Ali Bouali, Candy Dulfer | Wendy van Dijk, Martijn Krabbe (main hosts) Nathalie Bulters, Eva Treurniet, Lieke van Lexmond, Ferry Doedens (backstage hosts) |
| New Zealand | The X Factor | TV3 | Daniel Bedingfield, Ruby Frost, Stan Walker, Melanie Blatt, Natalia Kills, Willy Moon, Shelton Woolright, Natalie Bassingthwaighte | Dominic Bowden |
| Norway | X Factor | TV 2 | Jan Fredrik Karlsen, Mira Craig, Peter Peters, Elisabeth Andreassen, Marion Ravn, Klaus Sonstad | Charlotte Thorstvedt, Ravi, Guri Solberg |
| Philippines | The X Factor Philippines | ABS-CBN | Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Pilita Corrales, Charice | KC Concepcion |
| Poland | X Factor | TVN | Czesław Mozil, Maja Sablewska, Kuba Wojewódzki, Tatiana Okupnik, Ewa Farna | Jarosław Kuźniar, Patricia Kazadi |
| Portugal | Factor X | SIC | Sónia Tavares, Paulo Junqueiro, Paulo Ventura, Miguel Guedes | João Manzarra, Bárbara Guimarães, Cláudia Vieira |
| Romania | X Factor | Antena 1 | Current: Marius Moga, Delia Matache, Puya, Ștefan Bănică, Jr. Former: Adrian Sînă, Paula Seling, Mihai Morar, Dan Bittman, Cheloo, Horia Brenciu, Carla's Dreams, Loredana Groza, Florin Ristei |
Current: Mihai Morar Former: Mihai Bendeac, Vlad Dragulin, Răzvan Simion, Dani Oțil |
| Russia | Секрет успеха Secret of Success |
RTR | Valeriy Meladze, Aleksandr Revzin, Katerina Von Gechmen–Valdek, Valeriya, Tigran Keosayan, Valery Garkalin | Aleksey Chumakov, Yelena Vorobey |
| Фактор А The A Factor |
Russia-1 | Roman Emelyanov, Boris Krasnov, Lolita Milyavskaya, Igor Nikolayev, Alla Pugacheva | Philipp Kirkorov, Volodymyr Zelenskyy | |
| Главная сцена The Main Stage |
Walter Afanasieff, Zhanna Rozhdestvenskaya, Yuri Antonov, Sergey Chigrakov, Valery Leontiev, Diana Arbenina, Elena Vaenga, Vladimir Presnyakov, Nikolai Noskov (main judges) Walter Afanasieff, Konstantin Meladze, Maxim Fadeev, Igor Matvienko, Viktor Drobysh (producer judges) |
Grigory Leps, Garik Martirosyan, Nargiz Zakirova, Marina Kravets, Ernest Mackevičius | ||
| Slovenia | X Faktor | POP TV | Damjan Damjanovič, Jadranka Juras, Aleš Uranjek | Peter Poles, Vid Valič |
| South Africa | The X Factor SA | SABC 1 | Arno Carstens, Oskido, Zonde | Andile Ncube |
| Spain | Factor X | Cuatro | Miqui Puig, Jorge Flo, Eva Perales | Nuria Roca |
| Telecinco | Current: Abraham Mateo, Lali Espósito, Vanesa Martín, Willy Bárcenas Former: Laura Pausini, Risto Mejide, Xavi Martínez, Fernando Montesinos |
Current: Io Aramendi Former: Jesús Vázquez | ||
| Sweden | X Factor | TV4 | Andreas Carlsson, Marie Serneholt, Orup, Ison Glasgow | David Hellenius |
| Thailand | The X Factor Thailand | Workpoint TV | Nitipong Honark, Jennifer Kim, Saksit Vejsupaporn, Chalatit Tantiwut | Krit Sripoomseth |
| Turkey | X Factor: Star Işığı | Kanal D | Ziynet Sali, Emre Aydın, Ömer Karacan, Armağan Çağlayan, Nigar Jamal, Sinan Akçıl, Atiye, Nihat Odabaşı | Kadir Doğulu, Bülent Şakrak |
| Ukraine | The X Factor | STB | Ihor Kondratiuk, Sergey Sosedov, Seryoga, Yolka, Irina Dubtsova, Ivan Dorn, Nino Katamadze, Andriy Khlyvniuk, Andriy Danylko, Kostiantyn Meladze, Julia Sanina, Anton Savlepov, Anastasiya Kamenskykh, Oleh Vynnyk, Dmytro Shurov, Olya Polyakova | Oksana Marchenko, Andriy Bednyakov, Daria Trehubova |
| United Kingdom | The X Factor | ITV | Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl, Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Mel B, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Ayda Field, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams | Kate Thornton, Dermot O'Leary, Caroline Flack, Olly Murs (main hosts) Roman Kemp, Becca Dudley, Tinea Taylor (digital hosts) |
| The X Factor: Battle of The Stars | Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell | Kate Thornton | ||
| The X Factor: Celebrity | Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell | Dermot O'Leary | ||
| The X Factor: The Band | Leona Lewis, Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell | |||
| United States (English) | The X Factor | Fox | Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio | Steve Jones, Khloé Kardashian, Mario Lopez |
| United States (Spanish) | El Factor X | MundoFox | Belinda, Angélica María, Chyno Mirando, Nacho | Poncho de Anda |
| Uzbekistan | X-Faktor Oʻzbekiston | FTV | Current: Ibrohim Ahmedov, Lola, Shakhriyor Argonov, Munisa Rizaeva Former: Ravshan Komilov, Jasmin |
Nilufar Sotiboldiyeva |
| Vietnam | X-Factor/ Nhân tố bí ẩn The X Factor Vietnam |
VTV3 | Hồ Quỳnh Hương, Dương Khắc Linh, Hồ Ngọc Hà, Đàm Vĩnh Hưng, Thanh Lam, Tùng Dương | Nguyên Khang, Thu Thủy, Thành Trung, Gil Lê |
| West Africa | X Factor | AIT, NTA, STV, ViaSat, WAP TV | M.I, Reggie Rockstone, Onyeka Onwenu | Toolz |
The Xtra Factor[]
| Country | Title | Network | Host(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | The Xtra Factor | Network Ten | Chloe Maxwell |
| 7Two | Natalie Garonzi | ||
| Denmark | Xtra Factor | DR1 | Emil Thorup |
| X Factor Backstage | Thomas Skov | ||
| Ultra Factor | Joakim Ingversen, Jacob Riising | ||
| Z Factor | TV 2 | Rasmus Brohave | |
| Finland | Xtra Factor | MTV3 | Jukka Rossi |
| Italy | Xtra Factor | Rai 2 | Francesco Facchinetti, Alessandra Barzaghi |
| Sky Uno, TV8 | Max Novaresi, Brenda Lodigiani, Matteo Bordone, Mara Maionchi, Daniela Collu | ||
| X Factor Daily | Aurora Ramazzotti | ||
| New Zealand | The Xtra Factor | Four, The Edge TV | Guy Williams, Sharyn Casey, Clint Roberts |
| Norway | Xtra Factor | TV 2 | Peter Moi Brubresko, Katarina Flatland |
| Portugal | Factor Extra | MEO | Carolina Torres |
| Factor F | Tiago Silva | ||
| Spain | Xtra Factor | Divinity | Nando Escribano |
| United Kingdom | The Xtra Factor | ITV2 | Ben Shephard, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Konnie Huq, Caroline Flack, Olly Murs, Matt Richardson, Sarah-Jane Crawford, Rochelle Humes, Melvin Odoom, Rylan Clark-Neal, Matt Edmondson |