The Ten Network hopes to build on gains it made in 2004
- its "best year yet", according to chief executive
John McAlpine - with big-event programming such as The
X Factor, an all-ages talent quest that has taken Britain
by storm.
The X Factor creator Simon Cowell became a household name
in Britain when he appeared as a nasty judge on Pop Idol
a role he replicated on American Idol. Cowell says he
"had the pick" of Australia's commercial networks
when selling the show and decided it would best suit youth-focused
Ten.
Although Cowell has commitments in the US, where a second
series of Idol is under way, local X Factor producers
hope he will visit Australia during the series. With a
production crew of 120, The X Factor is a key plank in
Ten's 2005 platform and will dominate its programming
in the first part of the year, followed by new series
of Big Brother and Australian Idol.
It is being produced in Melbourne and will include live
shows from Vodafone Arena, starting in March.
Fox hunt for new talent
From Sydney Confidential
January 12, 2005
FOXTEL may soon be on the hunt for some new talent for
its music channels in light of a recent exodus of high-profile
hosts.
Andrew "Super" Mercado, a host and producer
on Fox's Max channel and who had previously been a Channel
V stalwart, is the latest to leave, following V hosts
Jabba and Chloe Maxwell.
Mercado is taking a couple of months break to weigh up
his options, which are likely to include penning a follow-up
tome to his recent book Super Aussie Soaps.
Jabba, who'd been at V for 10 years, left the station
after completing three weeks straight of around-the-clock
filming inside a very public bubble in Melbourne's Federation
Square with band Regurgitator.
A hosting role with new Ten network talent show X-Factor
lured part-time model and actress Maxwell away.
Idol fascination doesn't always
produce the X factor | BACK
| 2 January 2005
Idol fascination doesn't always produce the X factor
December 22, 2004
Vivienne Wynter finds out why they call auditions cattle
calls.
My friends thought auditioning for The X Factor was the
uncoolest thing I'd done. Uncooler than working for commercial
radio and wearing white cowboy boots to uni.
I blame Australian Idol. I cheered when Casey sang Take
Me As I Am and cried when Anthony channelled Mario Lanza
to do The Prayer.
When Idol wrapped up, something came over me. Rocking
up to The X Factor auditions at the Brisbane Entertainment
Centre at 6am on a steamy Sunday seemed like a good idea.
About 500 people thought the same. We mustered on the
forecourt in three categories - Under 25s, Over 25s and
Groups. Guards strolled the perimeter fence.
Within seconds of my arrival in the Over 25s, a familiar
face turned to me and said, "Oh my God!" It
was my best friend from high school. We were glad to clap
eyes on each other and catching up made the five-hour
wait bearable. She'd sung with a few bands - one of them
won Triple J's Battle of the Bands.
I was doing a Cole Porter number called After You. I thought
it was classy, romantic and suited my voice. Shows you
what I know.
After three hours they brought us in to tag us with plastic
DayGlo bracelets (mine was a chastening four thousand
and something). I looked around for cattle prods but instead,
nice young women led us to our seats. People with visibly
bruised self-esteem emerged from the auditions.
"It was brutal - we got 10 seconds," a dreadlocked
Maori guy said. My school friend recognised a handsome
dude possessed (she told me) of an amazing voice. But
Mr Wonderful was also rejected. "And I didn't go
out last night specially," he said.
A TV camera pointed at a girl in the Under 25s who sang
Alicia Keys's How Come You Don't Call Me in a soaring
voice that silenced the hall. My friend and I looked at
each other despondently. A model-type girl sashayed past
in a frilly mini with her "people" scurrying
behind.
My number came up. Outside the audition room, I asked
a staffer how many of the thousand-plus people had got
through the first round of auditions the day before. "Two,"
he said, deadpan.
The audition room. Two producers (one male and one female)
looked at me with weariness that only auditioning thousands
of singers can produce. My energy plummeted and I sang
the first two bars in key but without the conviction I'd
felt in the shower. The male producer cut me off with
an abrupt, "Not what we're looking for." I skedaddled
before he could brand "untalented" on my butt.
My buddy was spat out a few minutes later. We'd hit the
right notes, but the producers want the X Factor, which
can apparently be detected in under a minute. I can't
wait to see what it is.
The experience was a major whizz on my bonfire, but worth
it to catch up with my schoolmate. We might even watch
the show together.
CHANNEL 10 has just one thing to say to all those miserable
souls who were sent home after auditions for its latest
talent quest at the weekend -- X-Factor.
Even the world's best singers have got to have something
of an X-Factor, the network says.
So it's no surprise that among the 3000 hopefuls auditioning
at the Sydney Superdome sports hall yesterday and on
Sunday were two pregnant women, a Prince impersonator
and an 80-year-old man -- all of whom made it to the
final.
Ten yesterday announced the weekly spin-off show would
be called Xtra Factor.
Kate taps into X-Factor
By Sharri Markson
December 12, 2004
YOUNG hopefuls auditioning for Channel 10's new talent
show The X-Factor in Sydney today can expect compassion
from judge Kate Ceberano.
The singer, who is returning to television after 15
years, said she has already become the "nice"
judge, taking the lead from Marcia Hines in Australian
Idol and Sharon Osbourne in the UK version of The X-Factor.
"I'm very much the Sharon Osbourne character,"
she said.
"Having recently become a mother, I'm maternal
about the acts I put through. Once I see someone that
has this star quality I then discourage the protests
of the other judges.
"I'm really loving it."
Ceberano's 11-month-old daughter, Gypsy, visits the
set every day, lightens the atmosphere and calms down
the fiery reaction of fellow judge Mark Holden.
The X-Factor was created by Idol judge and Spice Girls
founder Simon Cowell and the first series of the UK
version is already attracting seven million viewers
each episode.
The Australian version will be judged by Ceberano, Holden
and John Reid.
The X-Factor auditions will be held today, tomorrow
and Tuesday at the Sydney Superdome sports hall.
Searching for older generation's
X factor | BACK
| 2 January 2005
Searching for older generation's X factor
Emma Chalmers, entertainment reporter
December 6, 2004
THEY were deemed too old for Australian Idol and Popstars,
so when aspiring singers over 30 had the chance to show
they had the X Factor this weekend, thousands of vocalists
rose to the challenge.
More than 3000 people auditioned for Channel 10's new
series the X Factor in Brisbane, and about two-thirds
of them were aged over 25. Previous talent quests such
as Idol and Popstars have set the age limit for contestants
below 28, but the X Factor opened its auditions to vocalists
of all ages and the response was instant.
Mother-of-two and singer Nina Candy, 45, was one of
the thousands who were put through the two-stage audition
process at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre yesterday.
The Gold Coast woman, who sang Patsy Cline's Crazy for
the judges, had not told her family where she was headed,
but said they would not be surprised she had auditioned.
"They know I'm a little bit crazy, that I'm a little
bit out there," she said.
"You're never too old to sing and play and have
fun in life.
"I think it's never too late to do this sort of
thing."
As part of the program, vocal groups were also eligible
to audition, and the producers were hit with a number
of interesting combinations including the Blenders from
the Gold Coast, a chorus of 35 men aged between 16 and
80, and a quintet called Random, who met in the audition
line.
Finalists who make it through today's auditions in front
of judges Kate Ceberano, Mark Holden and Elton John's
former manager John Reid, have a shot at being mentored
by one of them, as each judge will take control of a
different category of singers – under-25s, over-25s
and vocal groups.
The X Factor will screen on Network Ten early next year.
Thousands crave X-Factor
By SARAH WOTHERSPOON
28nov04
THEY came with singing voices primed and guitars ready,
some even brought deckchairs, pillows and their mum
for moral support.
More than 2000 people queued yesterday at the Melbourne
Showgrounds for a chance at stardom on new Channel Ten
reality show The X-Factor.
The brainchild of acerbic American Idol judge Simon
Cowell, the Idol-type talent quest has three categories
- ages 16-24, 25-plus, and vocal groups.
Yesterday the 25-plus line was the longest.
John Tickner, 31, queued from 6am. "I stood in
line for Idol and thought I'd lie about my age when
I got in, but they found me out," he said.
"Today will be great though, it's just about getting
up there and giving it a go."
Series producer Peter Wynne said The X-Factor was different
to Australian Idol.
"This is the first time that the 25-plus age group
has actually got a forum to perform," he said.
"People needn't worry about having an absolutely
perfect singing voice, this show is about singing but
also about finding a uniqueness of personality."
Due to hit our screens next February, contestants will
have to win over judges Mark Holden, Kate Ceberano and
John Reid, Elton John's manager.
Ex-Neighbours and The Bill star Daniel MacPherson, who
hosts the show with model Chloe Maxwell, said he was
looking forward to it.
"Everyone that has auditioned has had a great attitude
and a great vibe about them," he said.
Between tragic and perfectly right
| BACK | 2 January 2005
Between tragic and perfectly right
November 28, 2004
The cattle call for Son of Idol has drawn singers seeking
a second chance. By Lucy Beaumont.
Australian Idol may have showcased bubblegum pop, but
those auditioning for the upcoming TV talent quest The
X Factor yesterday were a far more mixed bag.
The Showgrounds provided a suitable backdrop for the
Network Ten show's first Melbourne cattle call, and
about 1400 hopefuls formed three queues: 16 to 24-year-olds,
those 25-plus and vocal groups.
At the head of the longest and most enthusiastic line
was country music singer Twyce Daily, 50, whose age
put him well over the limit imposed for Idol .
"I got here three days ago," said Mr Daily,
who planned to sing Quando, Quando, Quando. "It
might go tragically wrong, or it might be perfectly
right."
Heading the group queue was the Not Many Men duo - Dale
O'Connell, 47, and Glenn Bentley, 31, who hoped to get
through the initial cull to perform for the show's judges,
Idol veteran Mark Holden, singer Kate Ceberano and Scotsman
John Reid, former manager of Elton John and Queen.
In the youngsters' line, Merrilyn Smith liked her 16-year-old
daughter Felicia's chances. "You've got to have
a fantastic voice, spark, personality and want it,"
she said.
Elsewhere, Baptist minister Julian Dunham, 35, was mentally
rehearsing You'll Never Walk Alone. "I haven't
got tickets on myself to be a pop star," he said.
"I think this will remove any doubt that I might've
had that I could've had a singing career."
Such diversity set The X Factor apart from its pop predecessors,
said series producer Peter Wynne. "This is the
first singing contest that's been on television since
New Faces for someone over 30," Mr Wynne said.
Age had not wearied such singers' dreams. "I think
the 'X factor' is enhanced by life experience. We've
had people coming in looking for a second chance,"
he said.
Former Young Talent Time team member Greg Poynton, 32,
who hasn't sung for 16 years, wanted another shot at
fame. "I went to uni, got a degree and started
my own business," he said. "I'm going to sing
a ballad. If they like it, great. If they don't, I'll
go back to selling computers."
The show's format will likely see sparks between the
judges, with each choosing a group of finalists to manage
through the competition.
"The judges want to win it, too," said Mr
Wynne. "On Idol you saw conflicts of opinion. This
is way beyond that."
On the other side of the audition room, Not Many Men
failed to make the cut, but Julia Zass, 21, made it
through by singing Aqua's Barbie Girl, complete with
prop doll.
"I did a couple of singing lessons but my teacher
said I wasn't very good," she said. "Now I
just go to karaoke bars."
Twyce Daily emerged disappointed but determined, planning
to change his game plan before driving to the Adelaide
auditions.
"All the good singers didn't get through,"
he said. "Maybe they are looking for people who
are really weird, and that's right up my alley."
The test: do I have what it takes?
| BACK | 2 January 2005
The test: do I have what it takes?
November 28, 2004
Carolyn Webb put herself out there and auditioned for
a new talent show.
'Like a lamb to the slaughter." Alisa Groves summed
up nicely how it felt to audition yesterday for the
new Channel Ten talent show The X Factor.
There were times when we felt like animals parading
at the showgrounds for the meat market that is TV idol-dom.
Four people who were total strangers when I joined the
queue at 5.30am felt like close friends by the time
our names came up, seven hours later.
I was there for fun. But maybe a little part of me still
yearned to be on the telly, even for just a few minutes.
As a child, I loved singing and took part in all the
school musicals. I'm now in a soul choir and am an avid
shower and car singer.
My chosen tune was The Trouble with Love Is, a ballad
written by the first American Idol, Kelly Clarkson.
I could remember the words as I went along and there
weren't too many dangerous high notes.
Alisa, 33, of Doncaster, is a karaoke and talent quest
junkie. She is singing The Eagles' Desperado, and we
all joked that it was a good theme song for our group
of 30-something "oldies".
We whiled away many happy hours dissecting pop pap such
as Australian Idol, which we had all watched religiously.
X Factor host Daniel MacPherson roved with a camera
crew, and the crowd happily sang crusty Billy Joel and
Cher tunes for him. To be in a talent quest, you must
have no fear of dagdom.
My nerves grew as those around me were called for their
auditions. When they returned, they shook their heads
in bewildered rejection. What the judges told Alisa
was roughly what everyone else was told: "That
was a beautiful rendition. You've got a great voice,
but you're not what the producers are looking for."
At last it was my turn. I was ushered into a room and
told to stand on an X.
As in an abattoir, the end came swiftly. I put on a
smile and launched soulfully into my ballad. It lasted
all of 10 seconds before my dreams were cut short.
"Thank you, Carolyn. You have a very lovely voice.
But unfortunately it's not quite what we're looking
for."
Olympic producer Mark Holden, singer Kate Ceberano and
Scottish events manager John Reid will wear judges'
caps on Channel 10's new reality show X Factor next
year.
The X Factor is based on a British program created by
American Idol judge Simon Cowell, but, unlike the Idol
series, it aimed at finding a band rather than an individual
singer.
The Australian version will air on the Ten network early
next year with ex-Neighbours hunk Daniel MacPherson
to host the show.
''In Australia, you will be surprised by the talent
and of course at the lack of talent,'' Cowell said.
''It is a far more personal battle than any other talent
show.''
Auditions for the latest talent scout program will kick
off in Perth this week before the search heads to Melbourne,
Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.
Performers reaching the final will be divided into three
categories, solo artist (16-24), solo artist (25 and
over) and vocal groups.
Each category will be mentored by one of the three judges
and the public will vote on weekly live performances
until the new stars emerge.
The winner will be signed to record label Sony BMG.
Still on Ten, the network has claimed 2004 as its best
year, and says it's planning to do it again next year.
Ten today outlined its programs for 2005 at the Australian
Idol grand final in Sydney.
''With just one week of official ratings to go, we can
confidently say 2004 will be Ten's best yet,'' chief
executive officer John McAlpine said.
Ten is excepted to finish the year ranked first among
commercial television for viewers aged 16 to 39 years.
Back next year will be a third series of Australian
Idol, a fifth of Big Brother.
The network also has two new shows slated for the New
Year - an Australian version of Queer Eye for the Straight
Guy.
Ten drama Neighbours will be back for its 20th year
while Rove Live and The Panel will also return.
New series from overseas will include Battlestar Galactica,
Blind Justice and House, a new show staring Australia's
Jesse Spencer.
Other overseas regulars to return include Charmed, Everybody
Loves Raymond, Law and Order and The OC.
The network will also air the 2005 ARIA Awards and the
2005 MTV Australia Video Music Awards.
It has been a good year for Ten.
In October the network beat expectations posting a high
rating 2003-04 profit of $76.93 million.
The profit was down 14.6 per cent on the previous year
but included a net non-recurring gain of $48 million.
Mr McAlpine said the network expected to continue to
invest in quality programming to hold onto its dominant
ratings position.
Judges named for X Factor
| BACK | 27 November 2004
Judges named for X Factor
November 21, 2004
OLYMPIC producer Mark Holden, singer Kate Ceberano and
Scottish events manager John Reid will wear judges'
caps on Channel 10's new reality show X Factor next
year.
The X Factor is based on a British program created by
American Idol judge Simon Cowell, but, unlike the Idol
series, it aimed at finding a band rather than an individual
singer.
The Australian version will air on the Ten network early
next year with ex-Neighbours hunk Daniel MacPherson
to host the show.
"I created the show because I wanted something
different," Cowell said today.
"In Australia, you will be surprised by the talent
and of course at the lack of talent.
"It is a far more personal battle than any other
talent show."
Auditions for the latest talent scout program will kick
off in Perth this week before the search heads to Melbourne,
Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney.
Performers reaching the final will be divided into three
categories, solo artist (16-24), solo artist (25 and
over) and vocal groups.
Each category will be mentored by one of the three judges
and the public will vote on weekly live performances
until the new stars emerge.
The winner will be signed to record label Sony BMG.
IT worked a treat on Australian Idol, so Network Ten
appears to have used the same formula in selecting its
panel of judges for its next TV talent quest The X-Factor.
Confidential understands that gibbering judge Mark Holden
(pictured) will be joined by a female singer and an
out- spoken Brit from the entertainment industry.
We hear they are Kate Ceberano and manager John Reid,
whose clients have included Elton John and Billy Connolly.
Ten won't comment about the judges' identities until
Sunday's program launch.
Last weekend, former star of The Bill Daniel MacPherson
was named as the host.
After paying $15 million for the rights, Ten is hoping
The X Factor is as successful as Idol. It was created
by American Idol's Simon Cowell.
Vanilla Coke for X Factor
| BACK | 27 November 2004
Vanilla Coke for X Factor
15 November 2004
Network Ten and Coca-Cola Australia today announced
Vanilla Coke's sponsorship of The X Factor - the hottest
new television format on earth and set to air on Network
Ten in early 2005.
Sarah Kelly, public relations manager at Coca-Cola Australia,
said the synergy between The X Factor and Vanilla Coke
would create an engaging experience for consumers.
"The X Factor and Vanilla Coke target similar demographics
and have a similar tone and personality.
"Vanilla Coke is about 'smooth' taste while The
X Factor is about finding 'smooth'
Australian talent.
"We also know that our target market has a great
passion for music, and how better to connect with them
than through The X Factor?" Ms Kelly said.
Steven Jones, TEN's Sydney sales director said: "TEN
has proven ability to translate high viewer involvement
with our big event television properties to results
for sponsors.
"We are excited that Vanilla Coke is the first
brand to join The X Factor and look forward to helping
them drive exceptional returns from their association
with the show."
The X Factor is the most sought-after new international
format since Idol. The X Factor is open to all performers
- whether soloists or vocal groups - from age 16 up.
Unique to the format, contenders are mentored by one
of three judges in their quest to be Australia's next
big thing … the performer(s) with that elusive
X Factor. The public votes on weekly live performances
until the new star or stars emerge. The winner receives
a recording contract with BMG.
The X Factor will be produced by Grundy, the company
responsible for Australian Idol.
In the UK, The X Factor is a massive ratings success
for the ITV Network, attracting more than 6m viewers
each week and winning its timeslot in its target 16-34
demographic.
Source: Network Ten
Daniel to host talent show
| BACK | 28 November 2004
Daniel to host talent show
By Phillip Koch
November 14, 2004
HOME-grown international television star Daniel MacPherson
has been named as the host of Network Ten's much anticipated
new talent show, The X Factor.
"The X Factor is simply the start of a long association
with Ten," confirmed MacPherson, who signed a two-year
contract on Friday night.
On top of hosting X Factor, the Cronulla-raised star
of the ABC's British crime series, The Bill, will also
act, write and produce various drama projects for Ten.
Network Ten paid an estimated $15 million to secure
The X Factor in September after winning a fierce bidding
war with Seven and Nine.
It was created by American Idol judge Simon Cowell and
the first series of the British version of the show
is already attracting seven million viewers each episode.
"It has enormous broad base appeal," promised
Network Ten head of programming, David Mott. "It
could easily be another Idol."
The X Factor will have three judges - to be announced
next Sunday - who will each also mentor contestants
in one of the three categories: solo artists aged 16-24;
solo artists over 25 and vocal groups.
Mott said the public will vote to decide the most popular
contestants, while the three judges will then decide
which of the two least popular contestants will have
to leave.
"We just knew Daniel MacPherson was right for the
role," he said.
"He has great credibility, he's the right age and
he has a strong drama background."
Thousands of hopefuls are expected when the first round
of auditions are held at the Superdome in Sydney between
December 12 and 15.
Search Begins For The Elusive
X Factor | BACK
| 27 November 2004
Search Begins For The Elusive X Factor
London, November 5 2004
Auditions for the hottest new talent search on Australian
television, The X Factor, will kick off in Perth on
November 23.
In a bid to find truly Xtraordinary, Xceptional, Xciting
talent, the audition roadshow will take in the five
mainland capitals in November and December.
The X Factor will be broadcast on Network Ten in early
2005, and is expected to emulate the success of the
format in the UK, where it has proved a ratings blockbuster
for the ITV Network. The show will be produced by Grundy,
one of Australia’s foremost television producers
and the company responsible for Australian Idol.
The X Factor is open to all performers – whether
soloists or vocal groups - from age 16 up (at January
1, 2005).
Dates and locations for auditions are:
Perth - November 23-24 at Burswood Dome
Melbourne – November 27, 28, 29 at the Melbourne
Showgrounds Exhibition Hall 1
Brisbane – December 4, 5 at the Brisbane Entertainment
Centre
Adelaide – December 9 at the Royal Adelaide Show
Grounds, Jubilee Hall
Sydney – December 12, 13, 14, 15 at the Sydney
Superdome, Sports Hall
Auditions start at 8.30am, and Grundy and TEN expect
thousands of hopefuls to front in each city.
Performers talented enough to make the finals of The
X Factor will be divided into three categories, solo
artists 16-24, solo artists 25+ and vocal groups. Each
category will be mentored by one of three judges in
their quest to be Australia’s next big thing …
the performer(s) with that elusive x factor. The public
votes on weekly live performances until the new star
or stars emerge. The winner receives a recording contract
with BMG.
Grundy chief executive Andrew Brooke: “We’re
ready for anything at these auditions. It’s impossible
to define the x factor – but we’ll know it
when we see it.”
TEN’s general manager – network programming,
David Mott: “We know from our experience with Australian
Idol that auditions set the stage for a hit show. We
are very excited to give Australia’s aspiring stars
a shot at The X Factor.”
People wanting to audition can also call The X Factor
information line at 1900-926-435 (Legion Interactive.
Call cost 39 cents inc GST. Mobiles and payphones may
attract a higher rate).
Source: FremantleMedia
TEN marks the spot for X Factor
| BACK | 27 November 2004
TEN marks the spot for X Factor
23 September 2004
Network Ten has acquired The X Factor - the hottest
new television format on the planet. Open to all performers
- whether soloists or vocal groups - from age 16 up,
The X Factor is set to be the most talked-about new
show on Australian television in early 2005.
The X Factor will be produced by Grundy, one of Australia's
foremost television producers and the company responsible
for Australian Idol.
TEN's general manager - network programming, David Mott,
said: "No TV show in years has been as sought-after
as The X Factor, and all Australian commercial networks
aggressively pursued it.
"TEN secured the rights because of our outstanding
track record in adapting top international formats for
the Australian market and generating huge ratings -
not only in our target 16 to 39 demographic but also
with the broader 25 to 54 audience.
"Our ability to involve TEN's viewers in shows
such as Big Brother and Australian Idol, and the results
our sponsors derive from their association, is well
established.
"Our promotions and publicity teams' skill in fostering
and sustaining the buzz, coupled with Grundy Television's
expertise and experience, make us confident The X Factor
will be another winner for TEN."
Mr Mott added that rumours of a $30m acquisition price
were wild exaggerations perpetuated by the unsuccessful
contenders.
"We obtained The X Factor because of our talent
with hit formats - not a talent for throwing money around,"
Mr Mott said. "The deal makes excellent commercial
sense for TEN. We have the best margins in the business,
and it will stay that way."
Grundy chief executive Andrew Brooke said he was confident
The X Factor, with its broad talent focus and mentor-driven
formula, would prove to be a hit with Australian audiences.
"It's already a winner in the UK, and Grundy looks
forward to working with TEN to produce another winner
here."
The X Factor will launch on TEN in early 2005 following
a major advertising and marketing campaign that will
run over summer. "Come February next year, everyone
will know about The X Factor," Mr Mott said.
Performers talented enough to make the finals of The
X Factor will have been divided into three categories,
solo artists 16-24, solo artists 25+ and vocal groups.
Unique to the format, each category is mentored by one
of three judges in their quest to be Australia's next
big thing … the performer(s) with that elusive
X Factor. The public votes on weekly live performances
until the new star or stars emerge. The winner receives
a recording contract with BMG.
Network Ten and Grundy advise aspiring applicants to
start warming up their vocal chords for the nation-wide
auditions that will take place before the end of 2004.
Launched in the UK earlier this month, The X Factor
is a massive ratings success for the ITV
Network, attracting more than 6m viewers and winning
its Saturday night timeslot.
The X Factor is the brainchild of Simon Cowell, famous
for his career in the music industry and his role as
a judge on Britain's Pop Idol and American Idol.
Cowell's production company, Syco, owns the worldwide
format rights to The X Factor.
The most popular unofficial Australian Idol fansite,
Inside
Australian Idol, is back for the newest talent quest
program- The X Factor. Inside The X Factor has been
launched today, 27 November 2004. It is an unofficial
website for the Network Ten TV show which is set to
premiere in early 2005.
Stay tuned for the latest X Factor news, exclusive gossip,
episode recaps and video and audio. The URL for Inside
The X Factor is http://www.atienmedia.com/xfactor
. Please bookmark the site for the latest from The X
Factor.
