‘Strictly Come Dancing’ premiere handily beats ‘The X Factor’ UK

We certainly saw this coming a mile away, but it is still for some strange reason interesting to write about: Despite all of the hype and the proclamations of glory, “The X Factor” UK is still not looking any better ratings-wise with Simon Cowell than it was without him as a judge. It also continues to lose to “Strictly Come Dancing” like nobody’s business.

For its fourth audition show on Sunday, the series brought a total of 7.6 million viewers, which is down from the equivalent broadcast last year and also down versus the one that aired a week before, and even a night before. As for the dance competition, it easily won with 8.4 million watching in, an impressive 33% of the British audience watching TV at that time.

How in the world is this series so successful, when British audiences routinely claim that it scrapes the bottom of the talent and “celebrity” barrel? Really, much of it has to do with the fact that the series remains fun, and there is no real viewer burnout with it in the United Kingdom. Unlike America, they only run this series once a year, and they continue to find a way to work the charm angle. The show is mostly lighthearted and a little bit funny, which is in contrast to the sometimes superlative-heavy singing show.

Ultimately, we’re drowning in a sea of talent competitions, and we feel like there is an expiry date coming for “The X Factor” … even if it is not tomorrow or the next day. There is only so long that a show like this is going to be able to keep going, and the presence of other shows like “The Voice” will speed up its decline.

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Photo: ITV