X Factor 2016 final has lowest ratings ever as Strictly Come Dancing triumphs
THE X FACTOR 2016’s Saturday final achieved the lowest ratings in its 12 year history, as just 5.5 million people tuned in to see 5 After Midnight get booted out of the competition.
Saara and Matt make it to the final two of X Factor
The record low was even worse than last year, which pulled in 5.9m viewers.
The semi-final last week was watched by 300,000 more people than last night’s episode.
The ITV show has faced stiff competition from the BBC this year as its 8pm slot has consistently clashed with both Strictly Come Dancing and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.
Strictly’s semi-final last night was watched by an average of 10m, while 5.6m watched McIntyre’s Saturday night effort.
The first episode of the X Factor final had the lowest rating figures in its 12 year history
Either Saara Aalto or Matt Terry will be crowned winner of the X Factor tonight
Both shows lost 400,000 viewers from the week before but still comfortably beat Simon Cowell’s singing contest.
However figures for Strictly were up on both 2015 and 2014, as Ore Oduba knocked rival Danny Mac from the leaderboard top spot.
Tonight’s episode will see one of either Ore, Danny, Claudia Fragapane and Louise Redknapp be eliminated one week before the grand final.
Michael McIntyre's Big Show won more viewers than the X Factor
Over on ITV, it is expected more people will tune in to see the concluding episode of the X Factor final than the Saturday night show, as Matt Terry and Saara Aalto battle it out to be named winner.
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 7.20pm on BBC One.