X Factor was more popular in 2014 than 2015 with Simon's big return. Last year when there were full clashes on Friday and several Sundays with 2 hour editions, I think X Factor lost nearly all of them.

ITV not publishing an X Factor schedule to avoid clashes this year?

Yeah, in 2014 there were a couple of full on clashes and whilst X Factor lost (although it might have won consolidated once or twice) it was fairly close from what I remember.

Last year was pretty much a Strictly whitewash, although the 2 hour X Factor episodes that ran from 7-9pm (clashing with the Strictly results) did actually do well and were some of the highest rating episodes of X Factor last year. I think that was mainly because it was the 6 Chair Challenge, which despite the controversy is one of the highest rating stages of X Factor these days.

I don't think publishing a full schedule is Lygo's style. From what he said about Poldark/Victoria, he seems less upset by clashes than Fincham was. Although part of me wishes they had put one out, just because at the moment it isn't clear how X Factor is going to be structured this year (how many audition shows, live shows etc) so that would help clear that up!

The real truth about publishing X Factor's schedule last year was to let people know where it was during the Rugby World Cup those dates were fixed. Putting it on Friday when they knew Strictly do a Friday/Saturday launch was just PR spin on their part. Likewise saying they're putting two hour shows on Sunday so Strictly can avoid them, when they know that's where the Strictly results show goes, was silly too. Those X Factor two hour shows did well once Strictly ended. Don't think it won a head to head there either

Both should be avoiding each other this year apart from a 15 minute overlap some Saturdays.

A shame all the returning viewers weren't around for the sitcoms on Friday night.
Yeah, that was a pretty weird thing, last year. It came across as someone having a bit of a meltdown. I'm not convinced it was Fincham's idea, either.

If you'd have said to me a few weeks ago that Newzoids would get a similar rating to Goodnight Sweetheart and Young Hyacinth I'd have been very surprised.


It was definitely odd. I think it was the result of a bit of a panic. It was a couple of days before the series started and I suspect having seen the first episode there were a few worried executives. Cowell himself has said he knew it wasn't right watching the first episode (although that might be back-peddling). I'm not sure where it came from but it might have been Fincham - he was under real ratings pressure in August of last year and it was only a couple of weeks before he resigned...

Last night's peaks (from Mark Williams-Thomas on Twitter):

Strictly - 10.1m
X Factor - 9.2m

News just in.

27/8/16 Consolidated rating:

The X Factor: 8.5557m (inc +1)

Thanks. That's good, although I had hoped it would hit 9m. Last night's episode will though.

Well, it might be more truthful to say Nick Knowles saved X-Factor. Had doctor Who been on, X-Factor would have been a million or two lower.

I doubt it. Last year Doctor Who wasn't doing much more than the lottery got last night.

The series 12 opener gained 25.6% from its overnight, this one gained 25.9%. A very similar amount added proportionally so not bad.

Very easily. Could end up close to 10m.

Still waiting for the Casualty rating.

And ahead of most programmes on TV.

So not a BGT type consolidater.

We await to see if Victoria can top this.

So if X Factor's rise was purely down to Strictly, how comes noone here (to my knowledge) saw it coming? I'm sure it helped XF a bit, but I think the rather basic explanation is ITV are finally putting out a better programme.

Victoria would have to pile on nearly 3 million to top that, which I can't see happening.

And Casualty's has come through.

6.53m for the anniversary episode.

You're right, which is interesting as XF skews younger (I think).

However, proportionally, the difference is not that huge - BGT's most recent premiere added 28%, this XF premiere added 26%.

So a clapped out, past it's sell by date rigged pile of crap is within a million of perfect Strictly.

I don't expect it to stay that close mind.

Whenever something is ratings royalty, on here that automatically translates into general royalty also. Strictly is feel good entertainment, does that extremely well, but god it's not exactly the second coming! I know many young people who wouldn't touch Strictly with a bargepole when X Factor reigned supreme, now Strictly is the big number 1 they flock to it. Not that I'm saying people are followers or anything.

That's fantastic.

Where the hell did that XF rating come from?! Did not see that coming whatsoever. Good job. This series is already miles better than last year which must be helping.

Excellent for Strictly though getting highest launch rating ever! That's good going.

I do believe Strictly helped XF to a degree but I wouldn't put it sorely down to that because over the last few years we've seen Strictly sky high and XF rock bottom and viewers haven't always switched across. I think having everyone back and the fact it's actually good again is helping it out big time after last years car crash.


Good peaks for both. Nice to see some decent numbers.


Not bad then. I was hoping for it be nearer 9m but with all the repeats added in it's probably close to 10m anyway.

rzt posted some exc +1 ratings on GB.

Go For It - 2.34m (11.6%)
The X Factor - 7.78m (36.7%)
Newzoids - 3.05m (15.3%)

Strictly peaked with 10.11m (47.5%) at 20:10
* started with 6.94m (38.3%) at 18:50
The X Factor peaked with 9.25m (42.1%) at 20:55 inc. +1
* started with 6.41m (30.7%) at 20:15

Really? Given it was facing some stronger comp on BBC1, Bank Holday and ITV period dramas tend to consolidate more, I thought 3m would be possible.

The producer's comments made it sound like Victiria was skyrocketing.

So SCD didn't help TXF out at all?