Could this be a sign that the age of karaoke-style competition shows is coming to an end? Fox has decided to put the long-suffering show out of it’s misery after three seasons in an announced made today. While the UK version of the show is still going strong after 10 seasons the same cannot be said for the American counterpart, Since the beginning X Factor has struggled to to find an identity to separate it from Fox’s other show American Idol and NBC’s rival hit The Voice. The ever revolving panel of judges and hosts did very little to help the show with ratings. In 2012 the show paid Britney Spears $15 million to become a judge in an effort to raise viewership. The plan backfired when it was later found out that the show averaged around 8.73 million viewers that season, 4 million less than the previous season’s 12.49 million.
Since it’s inception in 2011 the show has steadily declined in the ratings department over the years. Last season’s ratings averaged at around 6.45 million viewers a drastic drop from the first season’s numbers. But it’s not just numbers that did the show in, it’s also the amount of forgettable talent that emerged from the show’s winner’s circle. While the UK show released onto the world the likes of Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Little Mix and most famously One Direction, the US version’s winners seemed almost unforgettable in comparison. That’s not entirely their fault, with three singing competition shows seemingly happening year round it’s hard distinguish one winner from another. In an age of digital media with thousands of hopeful bands and singers releasing songs and uploading videos in an effort to make it big, it’s hard to stand out even with a TV show backing you.
What does this mean for American Idol and The Voice? The Voice is set to premiere it’s sixth season on February 24th and continues to hold steady ratings wise. This past fall, they averaged around 14.98 million viewers, which was more than their last spring season which earned 13.64 viewers. American Idol is currently on their 13th season and has dealt with declining ratings over the past couple of years. Last season averaged around 17.93 million down from the 21.93 million of 2012’s season. As of now both shows are safe but as years go on how long can the American public stomach rounds of schadenfreude auditions? Especially when they are rewarded with a winner who will most likely fall off the face of the map once the next season rolls around?
While some of you may be said X Factor is gone, you can take comfort in the other singing competition shows exactly like it… for now.
Are you sad the show’s been canceled? Did you forget it was even on the air? What will Demi do with her time now?
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