THE X FACTOR UK RETURNS TO AXS TV FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, AS THE HIT SINGING COMPETITION’S 15TH SEASON PREMIERES ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 AT 8pE/5pP
Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams, & Ayda Williams Join Simon Cowell on the 2018 Judges Panel With Sharon Osbourne Returning for Live Competitions
(L(L to R) Robbie Williams, Ayda Williams, Dermot O’Leary, Louis Tomlinson and Simon Cowell
Los Angeles, CA (August 22, 2018) – For the fifth consecutive year, AXS TV will serve as the American home of the hit singing competition The X Factor UK—premiering the 15TH season of the international sensation on Sunday, September 2 at 8pE/5pP. Each episode will air on AXS TV 24 hours after the original UK broadcasts, with encore airings directly following the stateside premieres.
The X Factor UK is once again hosted by series mainstay Dermot O’Leary, who will be on hand to emcee all the tremendous highs, shocking exits, and powerhouse performances that the long-running series is famous for. Season 15 will unveil a new judges panel stocked with an all-star roster of music mentors led by chart-topping singer—and former X Factor UK finalist—Louis Tomlinson, who took the world by storm as part of boy band phenomenon One Direction. Joining Tomlinson is beloved pop icon Robbie Williams, the UK’s best-selling British solo artist of all-time, and his wife actress and presenter Ayda Williams. The new judges will join legendary music mogul and X Factor UK creator Simon Cowell, whose insight helped power hip hop quartet Rak-Su to victory in season 14. Rounding out the panel is music manager, TV host, and original X Factor UK judge Sharon Osbourne, who will resume her duties during the live shows—giving the hit series five judges for the first time ever.
For more than a decade, The X Factor UK has established itself as the premier platform for discovering the international superstars of the future. X Factor UK talent have sold a combined total of over 400 million records worldwide, and taken over the charts with over 200 Number-one hit singles. Throughout its 15-season run, the series has introduced an unprecedented roster of successful acts to the world, including global standouts One Direction; GRAMMY-nominated siren Leona Lewis; multi-platinum vocalist Olly Murs; songstress Cher Lloyd; and pop group Little Mix, who were the first group to win the competition, and have since gone on to become one of the most successful British female acts of all time.
In addition to unforgettable performances and stunning set designs, The X Factor UK is also one of the first major stops for some of the industry’s top recording artists to debut their latest tracks. Season 14 boasted an impressive lineup of guest artists featuring Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Rita Ora, Fergie, Ed Sheeran, P!NK, and Sam Smith, among others; and, in recent years, AXS TV’s viewers have been among the first in North America to hear Adele’s “Hello”; Coldplay’s “Adventure Of A Lifetime”; Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”; Maroon 5’s “Animals”; Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me”; One Direction’s “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” performed live for the first time on TV; and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” to name only a few.
“AXS TV is proud to serve as the North American broadcasting home of The X Factor UK for the fifth consecutive year,” said Lucia McCalmont, Vice President of Program Acquisitions and Scheduling at AXS TV. “The series has resonated with our viewers in an incredible way, quickly establishing itself as one of the most popular programs on our network. We look forward to providing our audience with even more of the top quality performances they’ve come to expect throughout the years, as the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow put their talents on full display to earn the coveted X Factor crown.”
THE X FACTOR is a global hit entertainment format co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK).
THE X FACTOR franchise has discovered and launched more international breakout artists than any other singing competition series. The format is owned and created by Syco Entertainment, and co-produced/licensed by FremantleMedia worldwide. AXS TV is the first American television network to air the UK edition of the show.
