The X Factor USA was launched with great optimism by Simon Cowell yesterday with expectation to replace American Idol as the number one show in America.

However, despite all the publicity surrounding the show and especially the controversy surrounding the removal of Cheryl Cole from the judging panel, the first nights viewing figures were reported to be around 12 million viewers.

An average of 12.4 million viewers tuned into the show between 20:00 and 22:00 US time last night, with the show being beaten by rival networks ABC and CBS with Modern Family and Criminal Minds respectively.

It’s well below the 20 million figures that was anticipated and is roughly equivalent to the figures the British version achieves in the UK, despite the huge population difference.