The X Factor 2016 has risen more than 1.5 million viewers since its launch last Saturday, overnight ratings show.
ITV’s long-running singing extravaganza garnered 8.3 million viewers on Saturday night – up 600,000 viewers on last year’s equivalent show, and up 1.5 million on last Saturday’s launch. The number is a stonking 2 million up on last Sunday’s figure, which delivered just 6.3 million pairs of eyes. The show attracted 39% of all TV viewers for its hour-long run.
However, the night was predictably won by the return of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, which waltzed onto screens (sorry) with 9.3 million viewers – its highest ever launch rating. Both shows were likely helped by avoiding a clash altogether, with The X Factor kicking off 15 minutes later to allow this.
Simon Cowell will no doubt be hoping that the ratings continue to float above last year’s series, which he has since admitted “didn’t feel right”. The return of tried-and-tested judges and hosts has lead to a largely positive reception on social media, with many hailing it as the best series in years.
Where does your Saturday night allegiance lie? Let us know at @CelebMix!