Perhaps you would H, you are generally a lot more open minded about TV programmes, though there are a couple who probably wouldn't. You also have to bear in mind that it won't win any awards if ITV don't put it forward. I have every suspicion that Cilla will be their main choice for drama as the category it will be in will be just that: a category. People are possibly saying it's deserving of a Bafta because ITV drama this year has been a little sparse, and when a good one comes along, it is more memorable. I still maintain that compared to other mini-series' this year, this one is not on that level. For instance, The 7.49 back in January, again featruring Sheridan Smith, was superb. Of course the best drama of the year has to go to "Edge of Heaven"!

Talking of TXF, is there any point anybody tuning into the final tomorrow night? I'm seeing this Fleur East everywhere. Front page news this week and topped the iTunes charts already. Got it in the bag surely?

I'm sure the usual crowd these days of about 7.5m will turn up, but I don't see it getting much if any boost when the result appears to be a foregone conclusion this year.

Could it be that Cowell is playing a "Boyle Card"? By that I mean heavily promoting (albeit silently) a finalist as if it's a surefire winner in order to deliberately generate a once non-existent buzz surrounding the other contestant(s)? I remember when Susan Boyle was on BGT and it was practically assumed she'd win. She was everywhere and anywhere and on the night, interest diverted to the dance troupe who eventually won! (Sorry, I forget the name)Diversity????? Anyway, I am trying to say that by promoting one act could ultimately lead to interest in others as viewers may be curious on the night.

I'd say it's one of the most open finals in recent years. Fleur only became favourite last week. Andrea and Ben have both been considered as the favourite at earlier points in the live shows.

I apologise, I took that figure from a tweet by a regular contributor to the thread. Must have misinterpreted it.



Pity it couldn't at least get into 4m's but enough to be going on with. Now they should take two years to perfect the format, then after X Factor ends in 2016 move the 2017 edition to a Saturday night to form an 'awards weekend' with SPOTY following on the Sunday.


Shame it's now taking a break until January so there's no hope of any extra viewers from last night sticking around.

More please.

Thought I'd post this If there are any mistakes feel free to correct them.

The X Factor Final (Results)
2013 (19:30-21:28) - 9.51m/9.73m (36.3%/37.1%), peak - 11.90m (42.7%)
2012 (19:39-21:39) - 10.94m/11.07m (39.1%/39.7%), peak - 12.53m/12.76m (44.0%/44.8%)
2011 (19:29-21:30) - 12.87m/13.10m (44.3%/45.2%), peak - 15.27m/15.50m (49.5%/50.2%)
2010 (19:29-21:31) - 17.16m (55.0%), peak - 19.44m (60.5%)
2009 (19:29-21:27) - 15.62m (53.2%), peak - 19.11m (61.9%)
2008 (21:45-22:51) - 13.46m (54.4%), peak - 14.59m (61.4%)
2007 (21:36-22:42) - 11.36m (49.1%), peak - 12.74m (55.1%)
2006 (21:29-22:30) - 10.37m (44.0%), peak - 12.57m (56.3%)
2005 (21:10-22:10) - 9.30m (35.9%)
2004 (21:30-22:00) - 9.70m (41.0%), peak - 10.50m (45.0%)

I have no idea how Sundays XF will rate. 8.5m to 9.5m I think.

You forget how amazing some of those X Factor Final ratings were. It really was event TV which you felt that everyone was watching back in 2010. It captivated the nation. Clearly destroying the panel at its peak killed the show.

The moon landings are still breaking news to me so Iv no chance with something posted here three days ago And the Elvis programme I must have tried to forget presumably through sheer awfulness. However he has still got one up on Sinatra given he is only worth one show, Sinatra is probably turning in his grave as I type

I'll go 8.5m. More interesting will be the peak - could it be set for a decline of 10m in just four years?

Just to put some perspective on TXF final ratings, does anyone have these numbers?
What did GBBO finale get? over night and official?
What did IAC finale get?
Thanks

GBBO an overnight 12.3m turned into 13.5m consolidated. XF has absolutely no hope of shaking so much as a tail at that.

It would have started to fall either way. The panel wasn't that special at all.

The problem with the X Factor Final is that it's bloated beyond belief. 4 hours in total over the weekend and a casual viewer who would just tune in for the final probably wouldn't bother sitting through all that. If the results show was reduced in length then there might be a chance of a decent jump compare to previous live shows but it won't happen. ITV probably prefer 8.5m tuning in over a longer period.

Yes I agree. As I have said before to build to get regular 14 million audiences is one of the greatest ratings achievements in the multi-channel environment. Gloriously over the top pantomime tv and yet (whatever the reasons were) rather thrown away at its peak. The next season audition stage started out with huge interest iirc but the public soon learnt they weren't getting the same from the new judging line up and I think the decline has been far quicker because of it. As Dannc says, its even worse when the winner is telegraphed.

It's no coincidence that the rot set in at that point though. That panel had another 2 years of monster ratings in it at least (maybe not 19m but certainly much higher than it actually got).

In fairness it has been bloated over a weekend for a good few years, but once upon a time it could pull huge numbers even over a longer time span.

Yes I agree but if you're trying to entice casual viewers back then that isn't the way to do it. It's fine when the viewers are already hooked.

Regardless of past eras it will still get a massive audience over the weekend and rate among the highest of any entertainment show in 2014. A lot has changed in the television landscape since 2010, other genres such as the serial dramas "Coronation Street" and "EastEnders" were pulling in huge numbers in their anniversary year of 2010 and consider first how fragmented the audience has become and how fickle the younger viewers of "The X Factor" are. Its still pulling in a very decent if not spectacular audience for ITV and Cowell seems to be aware it needs work. ITV have yet to find anything as successful for an Saturday night in the autumn. Its slightly unfair to expect it to reach the heights of 2010 and use that as a benchmark.

Approach NBC and negiotate a fee for a UK version of Saturday Night Live, sorted. By 2016 it will have been almost 30 years since anyone did a version of SNL over here, worth a go.

Well Zac you may be on to something there, but they need to be looking for a replacement before removing "The X Factor" its still pulling in a sizeable part of the audience that other ITV programmes can't get.

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is Saturday Night Live? I realise it's some kind of late night US comedy show, but what is its format?

Indeed, with rough looking audience members shouting at each other, it was like a political Jeremy Kyle show, one of those ratings grabbing editions they do every now and then. In the end Brand initially took over the whole show, and then ended up looking bad, I doubt he will go on again.


Shame again about Lost honour, but it did retain most of the audience from Wednesday

BBC Music Awards rating wasn't exciting either way, the fact there were hardly any awards was a bit strange. Interesting to see if any changes will be made before next year


I see we have now moved into the realms of 'it rated low, therefore it must have been rubbish, let's laugh and slag it off'

Good programmes can rate low you know, even on ITV.


Exactly, those who think it would have rated better between Christmas and New Year obviously don't follow those ratings closely, it would have been completely lost, clashing with numerous major programmes.

As Steve regularly points out about bloated entertainment shows, it isn't there to just give out the result, it is there to entertain for numerous hours. Yes they could show the results in a 10 minutes long show and get 15m, but besides a number on a top ratings list, it wouldn't serve any other purpose.

A recurring cast of players perform sketches satirising topical events, along with a different 'personality' each week who not only joins in with the sketches but performs an opening monologue and then acts as a 'host'. There is also a 'special guest musician' who performs whatever they're promoting - like X Factor but in multiple blocks. There is also a house band, and often the sketches include cameo appearances by other celebrities. It's possibly a bit adult for 8pm but after 9pm it'd be great if they did it right.

It sounds like a programme that's outstayed it's welcome by many years and is only getting renewed as there's nothing better to put on?