X Factor UK a global hit
October 13, 2014
Colin Mann @ MIPCOM
Executives from Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia International (FMI) are lauding the UK version of The X Factor, on the back of an impressive array of sales revealed at MIPCOM. Created and owned by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and co-produced by Syco and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK), The X Factor UK has hit global shores for the very first time and has already sold to 147 territories worldwide. Networks from all corners of the world, including AXS (US), MNET (pan-regional Africa), RTL CBS Asia Entertainment (pan-regional Asia) and Sony Pictures Television Networks (pan-regional Latin America) have taken the entertainment show to their local audiences.
Other broadcasters to snap up the hit show include DR (Denmark), TV3 (Ireland), MTV3 (Finland), 365 Media (Iceland), Sky (Italy), Upstar (Africa) , PBS (Malta), TV2 (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Viacom 18 (Sub-continental India), MediaCorp (Singapore), Workpoint TV (Thailand), Chek (Canada), YES TV (Canada), Hotvision (Israel), Fox International (Russia and Poland) CNC3 (Trinidad), TV Channel 17 (Suriname) and Youku Tudou (China).
The X Factor UK has remained a cultural and ratings phenomenon in the UK for the past decade. The current season of The X Factor UK had its highest rating launch since Season 8 with 10.7 million viewers tuning in to watch the show. The audience share was 104 per cent above ITV1’s prime time average and the series is currently consolidating at almost 10 million viewers per episode, making it – yet again – one of the UK’s most popular shows.
Bob McCourt, Acting CEO, FremantleMedia International, said the show had been one of the most successful entertainment shows in the UK for a decade. “Each year the series continues to pull in the big audiences and creates an incredible buzz. Our international clients have recognised this success and sales have been coming in thick and fast since we launched the show at MIPTV. We are hugely pleased to be working with these broadcasters to bring this staple of the UK’s autumn schedule to the rest of the world,” he declared.
George Levendis, Head of International, Syco Entertainment, noted that The X Factor UK had millions of fans across the globe who have followed the show through social media and digital platforms. “For the first time we are now delivering the show to broadcasters globally and audiences can enjoy our flagship production in its entirety following our contestants as they take what could be their first steps to superstardom. We are thrilled to be working with our broadcast partners globally.”
The X Factor entertainment format is now produced locally in 51 territories worldwide and has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth.