The X Factor is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol (2001–2003), and has been adapted in various countries. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality.[1]

The X Factor
Created by
Original workThe X Factor (UK)
OwnerFremantle
Syco Entertainment
Years2004–present
Films and television
Television seriesThe X Factor (independent international versions, see below)
Miscellaneous
GenreMusic competition
First aired4 September 2004; 19 years ago (2004-09-04)
DistributorFremantle

Similar to Got Talent, the franchise maintains a YouTube channel, called X Factor Global. The channel uploads clips of X Factor shows from around the world. The channel currently has over 3 million subscribers. Additionally, many individual X Factor shows have their own YouTube channels such as X Factor Latvia.

Format edit

The prize is usually a recording contract, in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants.

Unlike Idols, where the judges only critique the contestants' performances, on The X Factor each judge "mentors" the finalists in a particular category, aiding them with song selection and styling, while also participating together in judging the contestants in the other categories. Not only Idols, but also new singing shows such as The Voice, The Four and All Together Now have become rivals and popular in recent years.

The X Factor around the world edit

Location of different franchises of The X Factor
  Own version
  Joint version
  Regional version

There have been a total of 243 winners of The X Factor worldwide.

  Franchise that is currently airing
  Franchise that is not currently airing, but is slated to return in the future
  Franchise that has ended
  Franchise that was cancelled during production
  Franchise whose status is unknown

Country/RegionLocal titleNetworkHostsJudgesWinner
Albania
Kosovo
North Macedonia
X FactorTV Klan
  • Arab world
  •    Algeria
  •    Comoros
  •    Djibouti
  •    Egypt
  •    Iraq
  •    Jordan
  •    Kuwait
  •    Lebanon
  •    Libya
  •    Mauretania
  •    Morocco
  •    Oman
  •    Qatar
  •    Saudi Arabia
  •    Somalia
  •    Sudan
  •    Syria
  •    Tunisia
  •    United Arab Emirates
  •    Yemen
The X Factor
سير النجاحX
Current
Dubai TV / dmc Egypt (5–)
Former
Rotana (1–2)
CBC (3)
MBC1 (4)
  • Armenia
ԻՔՍ–ՖԱԿՏՈՐ
X–Factor
Shant TV
  • Season 1, 2010–11: Vrezh Kirakosyan
  • Season 2, 2012–13: Kim Grigoryan
  • Season 3, 2014: Vahé Margaryan
  • Season 4, 2016–17: Edgar Ghandilyan
AustraliaThe X FactorNetwork Ten (1)
Seven Network (2–8)
  • Balkan countries
  •    Bosnia and Herzegovina
  •    Croatia
  •    Macedonia
  •    Montenegro
  •    Serbia
X Factor AdriaTV Sitel (1–2)
Federalna (1–2)
RTV Pink (1)
RTL Televizija (2)
Prva (2)
RTRS (2)
  • Ana Grubin (live shows, 1)
  • Bane Jevtić (Auditions, backstage, 1)
  • Snezana Velkov (Auditions, backstage, 1)
  • Una Senić (X Star, judges' houses, 1)
  • Antonija Blaće (selection process, live shows, 2)
  • Aleksandar Radojičić (selection process, live shows, 2)
  • Nikolina Pišek (backstage, 2)
BelarusCurrent
Factor BY (2–)
Former
X Factor Belarus[2] (1)
Belteleradiocompany
  • Vladimir Bogdan
  • Marianna Murenkova
  • 2020: Cancelled[a]
  • Season 1, 2021: Andrey Panisov [b]
  • Season 2, 2022–2023: Ivan Dyatlov
  • Season 3, 2023–2024: Danyil Savenia
BelgiumX Factorvtm
BoliviaFactor X BoliviaRed Uno
  • Carlos Rocabado
  • Ximena Zalzer
  • Season 1, 2018: Juan Lovera
  • Season 2, 2019: DÚO MÍA
BrazilX FactorBand
Website
TNT
BulgariaX FactorNova TV
Website
  • Deo (1)
  • Maria Ignatova (2–5)
  • Alexandra Raeva (2–5)
CambodiaX Factor CambodiaHangmeas
Website
  • Chea Vibol
  • Chan Keonimol
  • Season 1, 2019: Chan Sopanha
ChileFactor XTVN
Website
ChinaThe X Factor: 激情唱响
The X Factor: Passionate Singer (1)
The X Factor: 中国最强音
The X Factor: China's Strongest Voice (2)
Liaoning TV (1)
HBS:Hunan TV (2)
  • Da Zuo (1)
  • Shao Wenjie (1)
  • Zhu Dan (2)
  • He Jiong (2)
  • Season 1, 2011: Li Shangshang
  • Season 2, 2012: Chen Yumeng
ColombiaEl Factor X
The X Factor
RCN TV
Website
El Factor X: Batalla de las Estrellas
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
  • Marbelle
  • José Gaviria
  • Juan Carlos Coronel
  • Season 1, 2006: Luz Amparo Álvarez
El Factor Xs
El Factor X Familia
  • Season 1, 2015: Dúo Herencia
Costa RicaFactor X Costa RicaRepretel 6
  • Patricia Figueroa (1)
  • Season 1, 2022: TBD
Czech RepublicX FactorTV Nova
Website
Czech Republic
Slovakia
X FactorPrima family
Website
TV JOJ
Website
DenmarkX FactorCurrent
TV 2 (12–)
Former
DR (1–11)
  • Current
  • Maria Fantino (17–)
  • Former
  • Lise Rønne (1–2, 4–5, 14 Live Shows)
  • Signe Muusman (3)
  • Signe Molde (6)
  • Eva Harlou (7–8)
  • Sofie Linde Ingversen (9–16)
  • Joakim Ingversen (11 from 1st to 2nd live shows)
  • Melvin Kakooza (14 Bootcamp)
  • Emil Thorup (Xtra Factor, 6)
  • Thomas Skov (X Factor Backstage, 8)
  • Joakim Ingversen (Ultra Factor, 9–11)
  • Jacob Riising (Ultra Factor, 11)
  • Rasmus Brohave (Z Factor, 12)
EcuadorFactor X Kids EcuadorEcuavisa
  • Ursula Strenge
  • Jorge Luis del Hierro (1)
  • Pamela Cortéz (1)
  • Maykel Cedeño (1)
  • Season 1, 2015: Celena Rosero
FinlandX FactorMTV3
FranceX FactorW9 (1)
M6 (2)
RTL–TVI
  • Georgia
X Factor Georgia
X ფაქტორი
Rustavi 2 (1–4)
Imedi TV (5)
  • Gega Palavandishvili (1)
  • la Sukhitashvili (1)
  • Giorgi Kipshidze (2)
  • Ruska Makashvili (3–5)
  • Erekle Getsadze (3)
  • Vaniko Tarkhnishvili (4–5)
  • Season 1, 2014: Tornike Kipiani
  • Season 2, 2015: Giorgi Nakashidze
  • Season 3, 2016: Avto Abeslamidze
  • Season 4, 2017: Sandro Kurcxalidze
  • Season 5, 2018: Anri Guchmanidze
GermanyX FactorVOX (1–3)
Sky 1 (4)
Greece
Cyprus
The X FactorCurrent
Mega TV (7–)
Alpha TV Cyprus (7–)
Former
ANT1 (1–3)
Skai TV (4–5)
Sigma TV (4–5)
Open TV (6)
Omega (6)
  • Current
  • Andreas Georgiou (7–)
  • Ilias Bogdanos (backstage, 7–)
  • Katerina Lioliou (backstage, 7–)
  • Former
  • Sakis Rouvas (1–5)
  • Despina Vandi (6)
  • Giorgos Lianos (auditions, 1–3)
  • Despina Kampouri (auditions, 1–2)
  • Maria Sinatsaki (auditions, 3)
  • Evangelia Aravani (backstage, 4–5)
  • Aris Makris (backstage, 6)
HungaryX-FaktorRTL
Website
IcelandX FactorStöð 2
Website
IndiaX Factor IndiaSony Entertainment TV
Website
IndonesiaX Factor IndonesiaRCTI
Website
  • Robby Purba
IranStageManoto
  • Season 1, 2016: Amirhossein Eftekhari
  • Season 2, 2017: Alireza Saremi
IsraelThe X Factor ישראל
The X Factor Israel
Channel 2 (1–2)
Reshet (1–2)
Reshet 13 (3–4)
Website
ItalyX FactorCurrent
Sky Uno (5–)
TV8 (9–)
Website
Former
Rai 2 (1–4)
JapanX Factor Okinawa JapanOkinawa TV
Website
  • Season 1, 2013–14: Sky's the Limit
KazakhstanX FactorPerviy Kanal Evraziya
Website
  • Current
  • Arnur Istybaev (2–6, 9 -)
  • Former
  • Adil Liyan (1)
  • Daniyar Dzumadilov (7–8)
  • Current
  • Nurbergen Makhambetov (5 from live–)
  • Eva Becher (6, 9-)
  • Dilnaz Akhmadieva (4–5, until live, 7, 9 -)
  • Former
  • Nagima Eskalieva (1-8)
  • Alexander Shevchenko (1–5)
  • Sultana Karazhigitova (1–2, until live)
  • Ismail Igіlmanov (2, from live)
  • Erlan Kokeev (3)
  • Anatoliy Tsoy (8)
  • Season 1, 2011: Dariya Gabdull
  • Season 2, 2012: Andrey Tikhonov
  • Season 3, 2013: Evgeniya Barysheva
  • Season 4, 2013: Kairat Kapanov
  • Season 5, 2014: Evgeny Vyblov
  • Season 6, 2015: Astana Kargabay
  • Season 7, 2018: Dilnura Birzhanova
  • Season 8, 2020–21: Bro
  • Season 9, 2022–23: Miras Erbolov
  • Season 10, 2023–24: Ulpan Zumabek
LatviaX FaktorsTV3
Website
  • Season 1, 2017: Artūrs Gruzdiņš
  • Season 2, 2018: Kattie
  • Season 3, 2019: Elīna Gluzunova
  • Season 4, 2021: Grēta Grantiņa
  • Season 5, 2023: Emilija Bērziņa
LithuaniaX FaktoriusTV3
  • Season 1, 2012–13: Giedrė Vokietytė
  • Season 2, 2013–14: Žygimantas Gečas
  • Season 3, 2015–16: Monika Pundziūtė
  • Season 4, 2016–17: Iglė Bernotaitytė
  • Season 5, 2017–18: 120
  • Season 6, 2018–19: Good Time Boys
  • Season 7, 2019: Milda Martinkėnaitė
  • Season 8, 2021: Mando
  • Season 9, 2022: Spurr
X Faktorius. Žvaigždės
X Factor. Stars
  • Mindaugas Stasiulis
  • Mindaugas Rainys
  • Season 1, 2020: Milita Daikerytė
MaltaX Factor MaltaTVM[7]
  • Current
  • Gianni Zammit (4–)
  • Former
  • Ben Camille (1–3)
MyanmarThe X Factor MyanmarMRTV 4
  • Zaw Htet (1)
  • Hmu Thiha Thu (2)
  • Si Thu Lwin (1–2)
  • Nge Nge (1–2)
  • Eaint Chit (1)
  • Za War (1–2)
  • Zam Nuu (2)
NetherlandsX FactorRTL 4
Website
  • Wendy van Dijk (1–4)
  • Martijn Krabbe (2–5)
  • Nathalie Bulters (Backstage, 3)
  • Eva Treurniet (Backstage, 3)
  • Lieke van Lexmond (Backstage, 4)
  • Ferry Doedens (Backstage, 5)
New ZealandThe X FactorTV3
Website
NorwayX FactorTV 2
  • Charlotte Thorstvedt (1)
  • Ravi (2)
  • Guri Solberg (2)
  • Peter Moi Brubresko (Xtra Factor)
  • Katarina Flatland (Xtra Factor)
PhilippinesThe X Factor PhilippinesABS–CBN
PolandX FactorTVN
Website
PortugalFactor XSIC
  • Sónia Tavares (1–2)
  • Paulo Junqueiro (1–2)
  • Paulo Ventura (1–2)
  • Miguel Guedes (2)
  • Season 1, 2013–14: Berg
  • Season 2, 2014: Kika Kardoso
RomaniaX FactorAntena 1
Website
  • Răzvan Simion (1–7, 9–)
  • Dani Oțil (1–7, 9–)
  • Mihai Bendeac (8)
  • Vlad Dragulin (8)
RussiaСекрет успеха
Secret of Success (1–2)
Фактор А
The A Factor (3–5)
Главная сцена
The Main Stage (6–7)
RTR (1–2)
Website
Russia 1 (3–7)
  • Season 1, 2005: Vladimir Sapovsky
  • Season 2, 2007: Nikolay Timokhin
  • Season 3, 2011: Sergei Savin
  • Season 4, 2012: Alexey Sulima
  • Season 5, 2013: Mali
  • Season 6, 2015: Sardor Milano
  • Season 7, 2015–16: Arseny Borodin
SloveniaX FaktorPOP TV
  • Damjan Damjanovič
  • Jadranka Juras
  • Aleš Uranjek
  • Season 1, 2012: Demetra Malalan
South AfricaThe X Factor SASABC 1
Website
  • Andile Ncube
  • Season 1, 2015: FOUR
SpainFactor XCuatro (1–2)[8]
Telecinco (3–)
  • Xtra Factor
  • Nando Escribano (3)
SwedenX FactorTV4
ThailandThe X Factor ThailandWorkpoint TV
  • Season 1, 2017: Slow
TurkeyX Factor: Star IşığıKanal D
Website
  • Season 1, 2014: Cancelled[10]
UkraineThe X FactorSTB
Website
United Kingdom (Original)2The X FactorITV
The X Factor: Battle of the StarsITV
The X Factor: Celebrity
The X Factor: The Band
United StatesThe X FactorFox
El Factor X
The X Factor
(Spanish Kids version)
MundoFox
  • Season 1, 2013: Los Tres Charritos
UzbekistanX-Faktor O'zbekistonFTV
  • Nilufar Sotiboldiyeva
  • Ibroxim Axmedov
  • Lola Yuldasheva
  • Ravshan Komilov
  • Jasmin
  • Season 1, 2023: Javlon Sapoyev
  • Season 2, 2024: Upcoming Season
VietnamThe X Factor Vietnam
Nhân tố bí ẩn
VTV3
  • Nguyên Khang (1)
  • Thu Thủy (1)
  • Thành Trung (2)
  • Gil Lê (2)
  • Season 1, 2014: Giang Hồng Ngọc
  • Season 2, 2016: Trần Minh Như
West AfricaX FactorAIT, NTA,
STV, ViaSat,
WAP TV
  • Season 1, 2013: DJ Switch
Notes
  1. ^ As a one-off judge replacing Prūsaitis
  2. ^ Also shown in Republic of Ireland and in series 3, 4, 7 and 13 auditions were held in Dublin, and viewers in Ireland were allowed to vote. The UK version of The X Factor is also shown in Malta on channel TVM.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ X Factor Belarus was planned to start in 2020 with a final on 31 December 2020.[3] After completed pre-auditions in Hrodna, Mahilyow and Homiel, the production team behind X Factor Belarus had to cancel the auditions in Vitebsk in early April because of local COVID-19 pandemic regulations. On 4 April, the production team cancelled all further auditions and later announced there would be no more auditions until late May.[4] In July 2020, the Instagram account of X Factor Belarus asked auditionees for patience. Since then, any update on the future of the show lacks.[5]
  2. ^ X Factor Belarus was planned to start in 2020 with a final on 31 December 2020.[6] After failing to produce the show in 2020, the official X Factor Belarus Instagram account announced the show would return for a new audition round in March 2021. The proposed date for the final was again set for New Year's Eve.

References edit