Apparently cowell has already said he's got a new singing show to replace it already possibley in 2015

He hasn't said that at all. Most of the big newspapers would be reporting it if he had.

It won't be axed anyway - but there seems to be some sort of interest in this series compared to last, particularly down to the return of the closed auditions. It'll be interesting to see how it does fare.

I hope they pull out something good out of the bag this year as the live shows last year were rather dull.

I feel a reasonable opening, but it will drop dramatically.

You never know, the [small minority of] viewers XF lost after series 5 may return which could boost it a little. Then again, it doesn't have to do that much to beat every single rating from last year.

Some ratings trivia:

Series Averages
Series 1 (2004): 7.4m
Series 2 (2005): 8.7m
Series 3 (2006): 8.3m
Series 4 (2007): 8.6m
Series 5 (2008): 10.51m
Series 6 (2009): 13.00m
Series 7 (2010): 14.13m
Series 8 (2011): 12.04m
Series 9 (2012): 9.63m

Most watched Series: 14.1m (XF7, 2010)
Least watched Series: 7.4m (XF1, 2004)
Most watched Launch: 12.45m (XF7, 2010)
Least watched Launch: 5.25m (XF1, 2004)
Most watched non-launch Auditions show: 12.86m (XF7, 2010: Auditions 6)
Least watched non-launch Auditions show: 6.53m (XF1, 2004: Auditions 2)
Most watched Bootcamp/Judges’ Houses show: 15.41m (XF7, 2010: Judges’ Houses 2)
Least watched Bootcamp/Judges’ Houses show: 6.39m (XF3, 2006: Bootcamp 1)
Most watched non-final live performance show: 14.95m (XF7, 2010: Show 9)
Least watched non-final live performance show: 6.53m (XF1, 2004: Show 2)
Most watched non-final live results show: 16.14m (XF7, 2010: Show 7)
Least watched non-final live results show: 6.88m (XF1, 2004: Show 4)
Most watched Final performance show: 15.11m (XF7, 2010)
Least watched Final performance show: 8.62m (XF1, 2004)
Most watched Final results show: 17.71m (XF7, 2010)
Least watched Final results show: 9.90m (XF2, 2005)

Agree cowell has said wen the public gets bored of these shows he will end them but 9-10m is still very good

Looks as though ITV are probably going to go ahead with 3 more series. Don't blame them, yes the ratings last year were not up to the standard of previous years, but you can't imagine anything else on the channel getting figures of over 8 million in the winter every week. Still, I hope the producers get it right this year.

I think ratings will increase. Forum members are in the complete minority when it comes to Sharon's return. The majority of the public seem to be happy that Sharon is back. With Mrs O's return coupled with the Closed Auditions coming back, I think word of mouth will boost ratings.

I predict an 8M launch which will slowly increase throughout the series. I think the series average this year will be bigger than last years.

Those ratings speak volumes about Sharon though, surely? She was never on a series that average more than 8 million viewers. I completely get that we take into account the years it had on television, the development of the format and the economy of the last few years but I don't see how bringing Sharon back does any benefit other than to have a nostalgic season celebrating 10 years.

She was on until series 4. The reasoning behind Sharon returning could be something to do with the viewers who watched the first 4 are the ones that have been lost since the series 5 initial increase. With this panel you're still getting the newer style celebrity judges along with Sharon & Louis.

Thats just a stab in the dark though, I have nothing to back that up.

The series average for series 4 was only a million down on last years. Also, that year had a higher launch than last year.

I think it's worth noting that the 'Whose Time is Now?' adverts did not help the show last year - I think they may have even put people off. Just showing snippets of the auditions would be good enough I think.

Thought those adverts were hideous. They need to do the exciting commercials again with the judges 'dramatic' shots and then show snippets of the auditions.

Advertising campaign needs improving imo.

I think a comical advert (like what BGT now do) would work well with Sharon back.

It would be needed. Many people thought BGT would outshine XF this year ratings-wise. It managed so last year but with an official average of 9.86m compared to XF's series 9 average of 9.63, it is likely to beat it. BGT pulls in 9-10m for the auditions, a bit lower when it comes to the semi-finals and of course rises for the final, but with nowhere near as much media coverage compared to X Factor.

X Factor this year needs a good crop of contestants, ones who are characters (in a good way mostly), banter between the judges, and of course a more 'event TV' feel.

So, what are your projections as to when the series will start, and how it will be scheduled? I'm going for an August 10th start (a week earlier because they've got to fit the arena auditions in).

An average of 8 million for launch peaking at approx 9.2 million

A bit early to say, but considering the addition of Sharon, I think it'll be higher than that.

OVERNIGHT RATINGS
Below are overnight ratings from all the episodes of X Factor ever. 'Live' or 'Overnight' data is produced the next day from the previous day's transmission. It does not include ‘time-shift’ viewers. Overnight ratings are the type of ratings most often reported in the media. How will series 10 compare to its past series?

Series 1 (2004)
Auditions 1: 4.9m
Auditions 2: 6.3m
Auditions 3: 6.8m
Auditions 4: 7.0m
Auditions 5: 6.5m

Bootcamp 1 - 6.5m
Bootcamp 2 - 7.2m
Judges Houses - 7.0m

Live Show 1 - 6.7m
Live Show 1 Result - 7.5m
Live Show 2 - 6.2m
Live Show 2 Result - 6.7m
Live Show 3 - 6.5m
Live Show 3 Result - 6.4m
Live Show 4 - 7.0m
Live Show 4 Result - 6.3m
Live Show 5 - 7.4m
Live Show 5 Result - 7.2m
Live Show 6 - 7.7m
Live Show 6 Result - 7.3m
Semi Final - 7.3m
Semi Final Result - 7.1m
Final - 8.1m (36%), *peak: 10.5m (45%)
Final Result - 9.7m (41%), *peak: 10.5m (45%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 7.0m
Auditions Average: 6.3m
Bootcamp/JH Average: 6.9m
Live Shows Average: 7.2m

Series 2 (2005)
Auditions 1- 6.6m
Auditions 2- 7.2m
Auditions 3- 7.8m
Auditions 4- 7.0m
Auditions 5- 9.4m
Auditions 6- 9.7m (48%)

Bootcamp 1- 8.5m
Bootcamp 2- 8.5m
Judges Houses 1- 8.7m
Judges Houses 2- 9.5m

Live Show 1 Perform- 7.6m (39%)
Live Show 1 Result- 8.6m (38%)
Live Show 2 Perform- 8.1m (38%)
Live Show 2 Result- 8.3m (35%)
Live Show 3 Perform- 8.2m (38%)
Live Show 3 Result- 9.0m (40%)
Live Show 4 Perform- 7.3m (35%)
Live Show 4 Result- 6.8m (31%)
Live Show 5 Perform- 8.5m (36%)
Live Show 5 Result- 8.2m (35%)
Live Show 6 Perform- 8.5m (36%)
Live Show 6 Result- 8.1m (33%)
Live Show 7 Perform- 8.1m (35%)
Live Show 7 Result- 8.5m (37%)
Live Show 8 Perform- 9.7m (42%)
Live Show 8 Result- 8.9m (44%)
Live Show Semis Perform- 7.5m (33%)
Live Show Semis Result- 8.0m (35%)
Live Show FINAL Perform- 9.2m (40%), *peak: 11.8m (48%)
Live Show FINAL Result- 9.3m (36%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 8.3m
Auditions Average: 8.0m
Bootcamp/JH Average: 8.8m
Live Shows Average: 8.3m (37%)

Series 3 (2006)
Auditions 1- 7.0m (37%)
Auditions 2- 6.8m (37%)
Auditions 3- 8.7m (40%)
Auditions 4- 7.6m (40%)
Auditions 5- 7.2m (37%)
Auditions 6- 8.8m (40%)

Bootcamp 1- 6.1m (36%)
Bootcamp 2- 8.3m (37%)
Judges Houses 1- 6.3m (31%)
Judges Houses 2- 8.4m (36%)

Live Show 1 Perform- 7.3m (35%)
Live Show 1 Result- 7.0m (31%)
Live Show 2 Perform- 7.4m (33%)
Live Show 2 Result- 7.2m (35%)
Live Show 3 Perform- 7.0m (30%)
Live Show 3 Result- 6.8m (32%)
Live Show 4 Perform- 6.9m (32%)
Live Show 4 Result- 7.4m (33%)
Live Show 5 Perform- 9.3m (40%)
Live Show 5 Result- 7.9m (33%)
Live Show 6 Perform- 8.8m (38%)
Live Show 6 Result- 8.2m (34%)
Live Show 7 Perform- 8.2m (35%)
Live Show 7 Result- 8.4m (35%)
Live Show 8 Perform- 8.8m (39%)
Live Show 8 Result- 7.7m (33%)
Live Show Semis Perform- 8.2m (37%)
Live Show Semis Result- 7.6m (37%)
Live Show FINAL Perform- 10.4m (44%) *peak: 10.9m (48%)
Live Show FINAL Result- 10.2m (45%) *peak: 12.6m (54%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 7.9m (36%)
Auditions Average: 7.7m (39%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 7.3m (35%)
Live Shows Average: 8.0m (36%)

Series 4 (2007)
Auditions 1- 9.5m (45%), *peak: 10.7m (48%)
Auditions 2- 8.5m (47%), *peak: 10m (52%)
Auditions 3- 8.7m (43%)
Auditions 4- 8.2m (42%), *peak: 8.8m (46%)
Auditions 5- 7m (42%),
Auditions 6- 8m (45%),

Bootcamp 1- 6.8m (36%),
Bootcamp 2- 7.2m (33%),
Judges Houses 1- 7.5m (35%), *peak: 9.5m (46%)
Judges Houses 2- 7.4m (34%),

Live Show 1 Perform- 6.2m (31%) *peak: 8.7m (40%)
Live Show 1 Result- 6.8m (33%) *peak: 9.7m (41%)
Live Show 2 Perform- 7.1m (32%) *peak: 9.8m
Live Show 2 Result- 7.2m (31%) *peak: 8m (41%)
Live Show 3 Perform- 7.9m (36%) *peak: 9.5m
Live Show 3 Result- 6.6m (29%) *peak: 7.2m
Live Show 4 Perform- 8.7m (37%)
Live Show 4 Result- 8.2m (35%)
Live Show 5 Perform- 8.7m (35%) *peak: 10m
Live Show 5 Result- 7.6m (30%) *peak: 9.5m
Live Show 6 Perform- 8.8m (36%) *peak: 11m
Live Show 6 Result- 8.5m (34%) *peak: 9.6m
Live Show 7 Perform- 9.2m (39%) *peak: 10.5m
Live Show 7 Result- 7.5m (31%) *peak: 8.3m
Live Show Semis Perform- 9.2m (40%) *peak: 10.6m (44%)
Live Show Semis Result- 9.3m (41%) *peak: 10.7m (47%)
Live Show FINAL Perform- 11.4m (47%) *peak: 12.0m (50%)
Live Show FINAL Result- 11.7m (50%) *peak: 12.7m (55%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 8.2m (37%)
Auditions Average: 8.3m (44%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 7.2m (34%)
Live Shows Average: 8.4m (36%)

Series 5 (2008)
Auditions 1: 10.2m (48.2%) *peak: 12.1m (54%)
Auditions 2: 9.4m (45.4) *peak: 10.9m (50%)
Auditions 3: 8.2m (43.5%) *peak: 9.8m (48%)
Auditions 4: 9.0m (42.8%) *peak: 10.5m (47%)
Auditions 5: 9.4m (43.2%) *peak: 10.4m (45%)
Auditions 6: 9.3m (41.8%) *peak: 10.5m (47%)

Bootcamp 1: 8.2m (36.0%) *peak: 9.3m (41%)
Bootcamp 2: 8.9m (38.1%) *peak: 9.8m (40%)

Judges Houses 1: 9.8m (40.5%) *peak: 11.0m (45%)
Judges Houses 2: 9.5m (42.7%) *peak: 11.4m (48%)

Live Show 1: 10.4m (41%) *peak: 11.3m (49%)
Live Show 1 Results: 8.9m (40.1%) *peak: 9.2m (48%)
Live Show 2: 9.3m (38.5%) *peak: 10.9m (45%)
Live Show 2 Results: 7.9m (39.7%) *peak: 9.1m (47%)
Live Show 3: 9.7m (39.6%) *peak: 10.8m (48%)
Live Show 3 Results: 7.7m (38.0%) *peak: 8.7m
Live Show 4: 10.9m (43.3%) *peak: 12.1m (48%)
Live Show 4 Results: 8.5m (37.6%) *peak: 9.8m (44%)
Live Show 5: 10.2m (42.6%) *peak: 11.2m (47%)
Live Show 5 Results: 8.3m (35.6%) *peak: 10.0m (43%)
Live Show 6: 10.6m (43.5%) *peak: 11.8m (48%)
Live Show 6 Results: 9.5m (42.9%) *peak: 10.5m (47%)
Live Show 7: 10.6m (43.2%) *peak: 12.2m (50%)
Live Show 7 Results: 9.2m (41.1%) *peak: 10.0m (45%)
Live Show 8: 11.9m (46.0%) *peak: 12.8m (49%)
Live Show 8 Results: 10.7m (50.0%) *peak: 11.3m (53%)
Semi Final: 9.7m (39.1%) *peak: 11.6m (46%)
Semi Final Results: 9.8m (39.6%) *peak: 11.2m (44%)

Final: 13.2m (50.3%) *peak: 14.61m (54.4%)
Final Result: 13.5m (54.4%) *peak: 14.59m (61.4%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 9.7m (42%)
Auditions Average: 9.3m (44%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 9.1m (39%)
Live Shows Average: 10.0m (42%)

Series 6 (2009)
Auditions 1: 9.91m (47.9%), *peak: 11.64m (52.2%)
Auditions 2: 9.75m (47.1%), *peak: 11.8m (54%)
Auditions 3: 11.76m (51.9%), *peak: 12.87m (55.4%)
Auditions 4: 10.26m (51.7%), *peak: 12.1m (54.9%)
Auditions 5: 9.27m (38.0%), *peak: 10.72m (42.6%)
Auditions 6: 10.52m (41.4%), *peak: 11.8m (44.4%)

Bootcamp 1: 9.05m (36.6%), *peak: 10.1m (39.5%)
Bootcamp 2: 10.87m (42.5%), *peak: 12.2m (45%)

Judges Houses 1: 10.12m (38.9%), *peak: 12m (47.4%)
Judges Houses 2: 12.38m (44.9%), *peak: 13.86m (47.7%)

Live Show 1: 11.31m (43.8%), *peak: 12.4m (49.1%)
Live Show 1 Results: 13.00m (46.4%), *peak: 14.6m
Live Show 2: 10.86m (42.1%), *peak: 12.2m (49.1%)
Live Show 2 Results: 13.17m (46.7%), *peak: 14.8m (49.8%)
Live Show 3: 11.58m (44.1%), *peak: 13.5m (51.2%)
Live Show 3 Results: 13.38m (47.9%), *peak: 14.8m (50.7%)
Live Show 4: 10.34m (42.3%), *peak: 12.0m (49.1%)
Live Show 4 Results: 13.87m (47.9%), *peak: 15.8m (52%)
Live Show 5: 11.79m (46.9%), *peak: 13.6m (52%)
Live Show 5 Results: 14.36m (49.4%), *peak: 16.6m (54.1%)
Live Show 6: 11.93m (45.1%), *peak: 14.1m (53.3%)
Live Show 6 Results: 14.3m (47.9%), *peak: 16.4m (53%)
Live Show 7: 13.04m (48.6%), *peak: 14.5m (53.3%)
Live Show 7 Results: 13.82m (46.5%), *peak: 15.9m (51.1%)
Live Show 8: 12.30m (47.8%), *peak: 13.9m (52.9%)
Live Show 8 Results: 13.47m (45.9%), *peak: 15.6m (50.4%)
Semi Final: 12.36m (49.5%), *peak: 13.7m (53.8%)
Semi Final Results: 13.01m (46.2%), *peak: 15.5m

Final (12/12): 12.36m (48%), *peak: 14.46m (54.1%)
Final (13/12): 15.62m (53.2%), *peak: 19.11m (61.9%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 12.0m (46%)
Auditions Average: 10.3m (46%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 10.6m (41%)
Live Shows Average: 12.8m (47%)

Series 7 (2010)
Auditions 1: 11.28m (48.6%), *peak: 12.56m (50.6%)
Auditions 2: 10.03m (44.9%), *peak: 11.76m
Auditions 3: 10.90m (49.2%), *peak: 12.5m (52.6%)
Auditions 4: 10.94m (45.0%), *peak: ~12m+
Auditions 5: 11.07m (46%), *peak: 12.7m (51.9%)
Auditions 6: 11.58m (42.8%), *peak: 13.2m (46.6%)

Bootcamp 1: 11.28m (46.4%), *peak: 12.66m (49.2%)
Bootcamp 2: 12.56m (44.4%), *peak: 14.24m (48.1%)

Judges Houses 1: 11.89m (47.3%), *peak: 13.5m (50.8%)
Judges Houses 2: 14.08m (48.5%), *peak: 16.18m (53.1%)

Live Show 1: 12.23m (48.5%), *peak: 13.78m (52.8%)
Live Show 1 Results: 13.14m (46.3%), *peak: 14.7m (49.1%)
Live Show 2: 11.46m (47.2%), *peak: 13.19m (50.6%)
Live Show 2 Results: 13.42m (46.7%), *peak: 15.2m
Live Show 3: 12.18m (47.5%), *peak: 13.69m (53.1%)
Live Show 3 Results: 13.65m (47.7%), *peak: 14.96m (49.7%)
Live Show 4: 12.22m (47.1%), *peak: 13.5m (51%)
Live Show 4 Results: 13.85m (47.5%), *peak: 15.83m (51.5%)
Live Show 5: 12.33m (47.7%), *peak: 13.8m
Live Show 5 Results: 14.90m (49.8%), *peak: 16.7m (53.2%)
Live Show 6: 13.49m (49.9%), *peak: 14.53m (52.9%)
Live Show 6 Results: 14.51m (47.7%), *peak: 17.73m (55.4%)
Live Show 7: 13.21m (48.7%), *peak: 14.34m (53.5%)
Live Show 7 Results: 15.15m (50%), *peak: 17.7m (55.4%)
Live Show 8: 13.62m (49%), *peak: 15.01m (53.7%)
Live Show 8 Results: 14.79m (48.7%), *peak: 16.8m (52.3%)

Semi Final: 13.84m (48.3%), *peak: 15.12m (52.5%)
Semi Final Results: 15.08m (48.6%), *peak: 17.5m (53.3%)

Final (Saturday): 14.05m (52.6%), *peak: 15.36m (55%)
Final (Sunday): 17.15m (54.9%), *peak: 19.44m (60.5%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 13.0m (48%)
Auditions Average: 11.0m (46%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 12.5m (47%)
Live Shows Average: 13.7m (49%)

Series 8 (2011) (exc/inc +1)
Auditions 1: 10.80m (45.7%) / 11.30m (47.9%)
Auditions 2: 10.11m (42.8%) / 10.55m (44.7%)
Auditions 3: 10.51m (43.4%) / 11.07m (45.9%)
Auditions 4: 10.65m (43.6%) / 11.12m (45.7%)
Auditions 5: 10.30m (37.8%) / 10.77m (39.6%)
Auditions 6: 10.79m (44.5%) / 11.08m (45.8%)
Auditions 7: 11.19m (42.2%) / 11.48m (43.3%)

Bootcamp 1: 10m (43%) / 10.30m (44.4%)
Bootcamp 2: 10.62m (38.7%) / 11.13m (40.5%)

Judges Houses 1: 9.65m (42%) / 10.26m (44.8%)
Judges Houses 2: 11.69m (42.5%) / 12.10m (44%)

Live Show 1: 10.43m (40.3%) / 10.94m (42.5%)
Live Show 1 Results: 11.54m (41.1%) / 11.87m (42.3%)
Live Show 2: 9.8m (39.1%) / 10.25m (41.1%)
Live Show 2 Results: 11.35m (40.5%) / 11.63m (41.5%)
Live Show 3: 9.76m (38%) / 10.10m (39.5%)
Live Show 3 Results: 11.11m (39.8%) / 11.27m (40.4%)
Live Show 4: 9.58m (38.8%) / 9.89m (40.2%)
Live Show 4 Results: 11.92m (42.1%) / 12.18m (43%)
Live Show 5: 9.62m (40.4%) / 10.05m (42.3%)
Live Show 5 Results: 12.09m (41.8%) / 12.30m (42.6%)
Live Show 6: 10.79m (41.7%) / 11.1m (~43%)
Live Show 6 Results: 12.49m (41.9%) / 12.66m (42.5%)
Live Show 7: 10.39m (39%) / 10.53m (39.9%)
Live Show 7 Results: 11.78m (39.1%) / 12.01m (40%)
Live Show 8: 9.99m (38.4%) / 10.24m (39.4%)
Live Show 8 Results: 11.98m (41.8%) / 12.19m (42.6%)

Semi Final: 10.26m (39.9%) / 10.62m (41.4%)
Semi Final Results: 11.71m (40.4%) / 12.04m (41.7%)

Final (Saturday): 10.59m (40.1%) / 10.92m (41.5%)
Final (Sunday): 12.87m (44.3%) / 13.10m (45.4%)

Auditions Average: 10.6m (43%) / 11.1m (45%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 10.5m (42%) / 11m (44%)
Live Shows Average: 11.0m (40%) / 11.3m (42%)
SERIES AVERAGE: 10.7m (42%) / 11.1m (44%)

Series 9 (2012) (inc +1)
Auditions 1 (18/8) - 8.71m (42.3%), *peak: 9.94m (46.2%)
Auditions 2 (25/8) - 8.88m (38.3%), *peak: 10.88m (46.1%)
Auditions 3 (1/9) - 8.57m (36.9%), *peak: 9.71m (39.7%)
Auditions 4 (8/9) - 8.21m (36.3%), *peak: 9.44m (39.5%)
Auditions 5 (9/9) - 7.86m (30.2%), *peak: 8.76m (32.0%)
Auditions 6 (15/9) - 9.0m (39.5%), *peak: 10.04m (42.5%)
Auditions 7 (16/9) - 9.73m (37.9%), *peak: 11.21m (42.2%)

Bootcamp 1 (22/9) - 8.24m (35.8%), *peak: 10.27m (43.9%)
Bootcamp 2 (23/9) - 9.26m (35.1%), *peak: 11.66m (40.9%)

Judges Houses 1 (29/9) - 8.74m (37.9%), *peak: 9.49m (39.5%)
Judges Houses 2 (30/9) - 9.84m (36.8%), *peak: 11.16m (39.5%)

Live Show 1 (6/10) - 9.06m (35.8%), *peak: 10.27m (44.3%)
Live Show 1 Results (7/10) - 9.61m (35.6%), *peak: 11.45m (40.9%)
Live Show 2 (13/10) - 9.01m (37.9%), *peak: 10.24m (41.2%)
Live Show 2 Results (14/10) - 9.72m (37.3%), *peak: 11.70m (41.8%)
Live Show 3 (20/10) - 8.58m (36.6%), *peak: 9.64m (40.0%)
Live Show 3 Results (21/10) - 9.69m (37.7%), *peak: 11.17m (39.3%)
Live Show 4 (27/10) - 8.38m (36.3%), 9.36m (38.7%)
Live Show 4 Results (28/10) - 9.18m (34.7%), *peak: 10.75m (39.0%)
Live Show 5 (3/11) - 7.96m (34.1%), peak: 8.61m (35.1%)
Live Show 5 Results (4/11) - 9.19m (34.1%), peak: 10.92m (38.1%)
Live Show 6 (10/11) - 8.61m (35%), *peak: 9.61m (38.9%)
Live Show 6 Results (11/11) - 9.07m (34%), *peak: 10.75m (38.4%)
Live Show 7 (17/11) - 8.42m (34%), *peak: 9.81m (42.7%)
Live Show 7 Results (18/11) - 9.64m (34%), *peak: 11.70m (39.3%)
Live Show 8 (24/11) - 8.24m (34%), *peak: 9.15m (37.6%)
Live Show 8 Results (25/11) - 9.28m (34.8%), *peak: 11.38m (40.1%)
Live Show 9 (1/12) - 7.80m (33%), *peak: 8.95m (36.8%)
Live Show 9 Results (2/12) - 9.03m (33.0%), *peak: 10.49m (36.7%)

Final (8/12) - 9.50m (39.4%), *peak: 10.51m (43.6%)
Final (9/12) - 11.07m (39.6%), peak: 12.76m (44.8%)

SERIES AVERAGE: 9.0m (36%)
Auditions Average: 8.7m (37%)
Bootcamp/JH Average: 9.0m (37%)
Live Shows Average: 9.1m (37%)

The series is looking to start on 24th August - how do you think they will schedule the auditions? Double bills from the start (Saturday & Sunday)?

Has this been comfirmed or just a guess

I think he is just guessing

It has not been confirmed, but Xtra Factor rewind is nowhere to be seen on the schedules next Saturday. So it's likely to be on the 17th, with X Factor starting a week later.

It looks as though there is no Xtra Factor Rewind this year. Not surprised as last series wasn't exactly exciting enough to look back on. I can't see it starting later than the 24th/31st of August though.

Interesting that series 8 got on to pretty much the same start as series 7 but failed to create any further hype for the live shows.

I can't see ratings being much different this year. I can't see it falling particularly lower than last year, nor can I see it having any significant gains. There's a lot of life in the format yet but it's definitely peaked ratings wise I think.