A new icount X Factor survey reveals an idea for a potential format change. It’s a radical change that would cut the season in half, and condense the live shows to 5 live performance shows, aired over the span of a week:
The X Factor is thinking of doing something different next year–the entire season would air over 8 weeks and INSTEAD of airing Live Performance Shows and Live Results Shows over a 7 week period, the program would air 4 live performance shows each night for four nights in a row and then have a Grand Finale Event on the fifth night. This Grand Finale Event would reveal the results and crown the winner.
For example, in the proposed layout, once the Auditions and Four Chair Challenge are complete, the live performances would air on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and then the winner would be crowned on Thursday. Basically, this new format would cut the length of the season in half.
This schedule would allow the competition to begin after MLB baseball ends. If it began at the end of October/end of November, it could finish up during the week before Christmas when most FOX shows are on hiatus. It would be cheaper, and less of a commitment for FOX. And it would also allow producer, Simon Cowell, to return as judge to the far more successful X Factor UK, which airs in the UK, beginning in September.
However, I have doubts about an audience willing to tune in for a 4 night live event. It’s hard to imagine it would be very highly rated. Unless the show, running without interruption, does a better job of roping viewers in.
