ITV boss admits X Factor format change 'wasn't successful'
ITV's entertainment chief has conceded that the radical overhaul to the Judges' Houses part of this year's X Factor was a failure.
Everything about the episode was strongly blasted
The show was universally panned by critics and came in for a harsh reception from viewers when mentors Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora were asked to select their top three acts live.
Ratings slipped amid the ropey twist, with a knock-on effect seeing figures for the subsequent first live final dipping to a low of 5.6 million.
"We embarked on this series wanting some changes - this is one of the issues with long-running shows - you look to them constantly to think how they can be kept on their toes," Elaine Bedell told the Broadcast Commissioning Forum.
"Possibly with The X Factor we went too far with the mix of live TV in the judges' houses episode.
Judges whittled their Top 6 down to just three
The judges had their celebrity guests in tow
Universally on the production side we felt that it wasn't successful
"Universally on the production side we felt that it wasn't successful but now we are back to the live shows that we know and love."
Broadcast adds that Elaine went on to predict a "good run" for the rest of 12-year-old juggernaut in the run-up to Christmas.
There is one series left of Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor on the current contract between ITV and Syco/Fremantle Media, and Elaine seemed optimistic that both could continue.
“We have a longstanding relationship with Syco and Fremantle which has served us very well," she said.
Jennifer's elimination was amid the most divisive
"BGT has been brilliant this year and bucked the trend by being up year-on-year. Following the series this year we’ll be sitting down to discuss their future.”
It had previously been suggested that X Factor could be "rested" for a number of years before returning further down the line, but Simon Cowell was quick to laugh off the suggestion and insisted consolidated ratings from catch-up services considerably built on the overnight numbers.
Two more acts will be eliminated from the competition this weekend, following the departures of Alien Uncovered and Bupsi last Sunday.
The X Factor continues tomorrow at 8pm on BBC One.