Simon Cowell Joins Pop Icons Mel B, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Music Manager Louis Walsh. Dermot O’Leary Serves as Host of the 34-Episode Series
LOS ANGELES – August 6, 2014 – Cable’s premier music entertainment channel AXS TV is the official U.S. broadcast home for the upcoming eleventh season of the international mega-hit The X Factor
UK. AXS TV has signed an agreement with FremantleMedia International (FMI) and Syco Entertainment, bringing the flagship UK version of the popular singing competition to the United States for the first time ever. The brainchild of world-renowned producer and music expert Simon Cowell, The X Factor UK is co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK).
Season 11 will feature a pair of famous faces that will be instantly recognizable to American audiences, as Cowell makes his much anticipated return to the panel for the first time in three years. Additionally, former Spice Girl and America’s Got Talent fan-favorite Mel B will make her first appearance as a full-time judge, after previously serving as a guest on the series. Joining the duo is UK pop singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini who is also returning for the first time in three years, and esteemed music manager Louis Walsh, making his eleventh consecutive appearance since 2004. Award-winning broadcaster and host, Dermot O’Leary, will host the festivities, while also providing support to the aspiring stars.
The X Factor UK contestants compete in two sets of audition rounds, taking place across the UK in Manchester, London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. In the initial closed room auditions, contestants will find themselves face-to-face with the judges for the first time. If they impress the panel and receive three or more “yes” votes, they will move on to perform in a packed arena in front of a live audience. AXS TV will air all 34 episodes of the series, beginning with the opening audition shows, in addition to special boot camp installments and live broadcasts.
The X Factor UK airs on AXS TV Sundays and Mondays starting August 31 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, 24 hours after the respective UK broadcasts. Each program will re-air the same night after the first broadcast.
THE X FACTOR Weekly Broadcast Schedule on AXS TV
Sundays
8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Episode 1 – US Premiere – August 31/same night re-air
Mondays
8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT Episode 2 – US Premiere – September 1/same night re-air
