'X Factor' bosses to give fans double helping
'The X Factor' is to be screened on Saturdays and Sundays from the start of the series for the first time.
The ITV talent show will return for its 10th season on August 31 and bosses have decided to give viewers a double helping of 'X Factor' action to help celebrate the programme's major milestone, and it is also hoped the schedule alteration will boost ratings.
An 'X Factor' source said: “We want it to be 'The X Factor' weekend. It’s not about bombarding people and overdoing it.
“We are celebrating the show because it’s back with a new look for the 10th anniversary.”
The Saturday show will feature "closed" audition footage of hopefuls aiming to impress judges Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne in a room on their own.
The Sunday programme will feature the wannabes who progressed through the first stage of try-outs auditioning again to the four panellists, but this time they will do so in front of an audience inside London's Wembley Arena.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Closed auditions have thrown up some brilliant scenes.
“If contestants make it through, there’s still tension about whether they will make it to Boot Camp as they have to audition again in front of an audience.
“It would look odd mixing the footage of closed auditions with the audience try-outs, so we’re splitting them up. This way, people won’t have to wait long to see which acts have made it to Boot Camp.”
The two-night format will run until the final on December 15.
