THE X FACTOR UK RETURNS TO AXS TV FOR THE THIRD-CONSECUTIVE YEAR, AS THE NETWORK PREMIERES SEASON 13 OF THE POPULAR MUSIC COMPETITION SERIES AT 8PE ON SUN., AUG. 28 & MON., AUG. 29
Season 13 Features Simon Cowell and Marks the Return of Judges Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger & Louis Walsh; Season Includes 44 Hours of Content Across 32 Episodes
AXS TV Signs New Multi-Year Deal To Continue Serving as the U.S. Broadcast Home for the Hit Series
LOS ANGELES – July 19, 2016 – AXS TV is proud to announce the return of the international phenomenon THE X FACTOR UK for the third-consecutive year, after renewing a contract with FremantleMedia International (FMI) and Syco Entertainment for another multi-year deal, serving as the U.S. broadcast home. The network will air all 32 episodes of the upcoming 13th season, which premieres on AXS TV in a special two-day event on Sunday, August 28, and Monday, August 29, at 8pE/5pP. Each episode will air on AXS TV 24 hours after their respective UK broadcasts, with encore airings that same night at 11pE/8pP. The X Factor UK is co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK), and was created by Simon Cowell, who also serves as a judge on the series. AXS TV is the first and only American television network to air the UK edition of the series.
Season 13 of THE X FACTOR UK welcomes back some of the most beloved judges to the panel, as well as fan-favorite host Dermot O’Leary. This year, Simon Cowell will be re-joined by rock royalty and original X FACTOR UK judge Sharon Osbourne, who brings her unprecedented music industry experience to the show after serving as a judge from 2004 to 2007, and again in 2013; as well as best-selling solo artist and Pussycat Dolls standout Nicole Scherzinger, who appeared on the show in 2012 and 2013, captivating the country with her passion and enthusiasm en route to guiding singer James Arthur to victory in her first year. Rounding out the esteemed panel is chart maestro Louis Walsh, who makes his triumphant return as an X FACTOR judge for a record-breaking 12th season.
Over the past decade, THE X FACTOR UK has set the benchmark in finding worldwide superstars, with X FACTOR UK artists selling a total of more than 200 million records worldwide and earning 200 Number Ones. The program’s rich legacy includes chart-topping acts such as international boy band sensation One Direction, who have amassed 70 million records worldwide; soulful GRAMMY®-nominated songstress Leona Lewis; multi-platinum pop star Olly Murs, who has sold more than 19 million worldwide; and Little Mix, who have sold 15 million records globally, and were the first group to win the competition. The series once again made history last season, when 17-year-old vocalist Louisa Johnson became the youngest contestant—and first female contestant since 2008—to claim the X FACTOR UK crown.
Known for its high-caliber performances boasting lavish sets and wardrobes, THE X FACTOR UK is also one of the first stops for major recording artists to promote their latest hits. In the last two years, AXS TV viewers have been among the first in America to enjoy 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,” among others.
The X Factor is a global hit entertainment format that is now produced in 53 territories and has been watched by over 350 million viewers worldwide. The X Factor franchise has discovered and launched more international breakout artists than any other singing competition series, with X Factor artists amassing a combined total of more than 200 million record sales. The format is owned and created by Syco Entertainment, and co-produced/licensed by FremantleMedia International.
For additional information and assets, please visit the show’s web page at http://www.axs.tv/xfactor/.
