2011: Ratings dip for X Factor opening live show

The X Factor 2011 opening live show has reportedly lost nearly a million viewers.

The decline is being blamed on lengthy and frequent ad breaks compared to last year. Saturday night’s marathon two and a half hour opener saw just 32 minutes of singing, as the final 16 contestants performed for the first time.

At one point we saw only seven minutes of actual performance, before cutting to ad breaks from Talk Talk and Marks and Spencer who both sponsor the series.

Some insiders believe the drop was inevitable and was not because of ad breaks alone, but also by the departure of judge Simon Cowell. One told The Daily Mail:

‘We always knew the proof of the pudding would be in the live shows.

‘It was a big ask for Gary Barlow to step into Cowell’s shoes, and he did incredibly well. But for pure bite and bitchiness, there is no one like Cowell.’

But despite the decline, over 12 million viewers still watched the show, beating rival Strictly Come Dancing which peaked with just over 9 million.

The 45-minute clash between both shows however couldn’t have helped things.

An X Factor spokesperson insisted: “Advertising complied with Ofcom’s code. Next week’s show will be shorter, at two hours and 10 minutes.”

In last night’s result show, four acts were eliminated in the shock twist, with Jonjo Kerr, 2 Shoes, James Michael and Amelia Lily all being sent home by their own mentors.