The X Factor Explained

The X Factor
Owner:Fremantle
Syco Entertainment
Origin:The X Factor (UK)
Years:2004–present
Tv:The X Factor (independent international versions, see below)
Otherlabel1:Genre
Otherdata1:Music competition
Otherlabel2:First aired
Otherlabel3:Distributor
Otherdata3:Fremantle

The X Factor is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol (2001–2003), and has been adapted in various countries. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality.[1]

Similar to Got Talent, the franchise maintains a YouTube channel, called X Factor Global. The channel uploads clips of X Factor shows from around the world. The channel currently has over 3 million subscribers. Additionally, many individual X Factor shows have their own YouTube channels such as X Factor Latvia.

The X Factor around the world

There have been a total of 244 winners of The X Factor worldwide.

Franchise that is currently airing
Franchise that is not currently airing, but is slated to return in the future
Franchise that has ended
Franchise that was cancelled during production
Franchise whose status is unknown

Local titleNetworkHostsJudgesWinner
Albania
Kosovo
North Macedonia
X FactorTV Klan
  • Current
  • Adi Krasta
  • Former
The X Factor
سير النجاحX
Current
Dubai TV / dmc Egypt
Former
Rotana
CBC
MBC1
  • Current
  • Sheema
  • Former
  • Nathalie Maamary
  • Joelle Rahme
  • Bassel Alzaro
  • Wael Mansour
  • Rami Radwan
  • Maryam Said
  • Current
  • Former
  • Armenia
ԻՔՍ–ՖԱԿՏՈՐ
X–Factor
Shant TV
  • Grisha Aghakhanyan
  • Egor Glumov
  • Gisane Palyan
  • Naira Gyurjinyan
  • Shushanik Arevshatyan
  • Season 1, 2010–11: Vrezh Kirakosyan
  • Season 2, 2012–13: Kim Grigoryan
  • Season 3, 2014: Vahé Margaryan
  • Season 4, 2016–17: Edgar Ghandilyan
AustraliaThe X Factor
      X Factor Adria
      • Bane Jevtić
      • Snezana Velkov
      • Una Senić
      • Aleksandar Radojičić
      BelarusCurrent
      Factor BY
      Former
      X Factor Belarus[2]
      Belteleradiocompany
      • Vladimir Bogdan
      • Marianna Murenkova
      • 2020: Cancelled
      • Season 1, 2021: Andrey Panisov
      • Season 2, 2022–2023: Ivan Dyatlov
      • Season 3, 2023–2024: Danyil Savenia
      • Season 4, 2024–2025: Upcoming season
      BelgiumX Factorvtm
        • Jean Blaute
        BoliviaFactor X BoliviaRed Uno
        • Carlos Rocabado
        • Ximena Zalzer
        • Mayra Gonzales
        • Matamba
        • Season 1, 2018: Juan Lovera
        • Season 2, 2019: DÚO MÍA
        BrazilX FactorBand

        TNT
        • Maurício Meirelles
        BulgariaX FactorNova TV
        • Deo
        • Maria Ignatova
        • Alexandra Raeva
        • Maga
        • Sanya Armutlieva
        • Zaki
        CambodiaX Factor CambodiaHangmeas
        • Chea Vibol
        • Chan Keonimol
        • Season 1, 2019: Chan Sopanha
        ChileFactor XTVN
          ChinaThe X Factor:
          The X Factor: Passionate Singer
          The X Factor:
          The X Factor: China's Strongest Voice
          • Da Zuo
          • Shao Wenjie
          • Zhu Dan
          • Angie Chai Chih–ping
          • Aduo
          • Chen Ming
          • Season 1, 2011: Li Shangshang
          • Season 2, 2012: Chen Yumeng
          ColombiaEl Factor X
          The X Factor
          RCN TV
          • Mauricio Vélez
          • Current
          • José Gaviria
          • Former
          • Juan Carlos Coronel
          El Factor X: Batalla de las Estrellas
          The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
          • Marbelle
          • José Gaviria
          • Juan Carlos Coronel
          • Season 1, 2006: Luz Amparo Álvarez
          El Factor Xs
          • Marbelle
          • José Gaviria
          • Juan Carlos Coronel
          El Factor X Familia
          • Season 1, 2015: Dúo Herencia
          Czech RepublicX FactorTV Nova
          Czech Republic
          Slovakia
          X FactorPrima family

          TV JOJ
          • Martin Rausch
          DenmarkX FactorCurrent
          TV 2 (12–)
          Former
          DR (1–11)
          • Current
          • Maria Fantino (17–)
          • Former
          • Lise Rønne (1–2, 4–5, 14 Live Shows)
          • Signe Muusman (3)
          • Signe Molde (6)
          • Eva Harlou (7–8)
          • Sofie Linde Ingversen (9–16)
          • Joakim Ingversen (11 from 1st to 2nd live shows)
          • Melvin Kakooza (14 Bootcamp)
          • Emil Thorup (Xtra Factor, 6)
          • Thomas Skov (X Factor Backstage, 8)
          • Joakim Ingversen (Ultra Factor, 9–11)
          • Jacob Riising (Ultra Factor, 11)
          • Rasmus Brohave (Z Factor, 12)
          EcuadorFactor X Kids EcuadorEcuavisa
          • Ursula Strenge
          • Jorge Luis del Hierro
          • Pamela Cortéz
          • Maykel Cedeño
          • Season 1, 2015: Celena Rosero
          FinlandX FactorMTV3
          • Ile Uusivuori
          • Jukka Rossi
          • Renne Korppila
          • Gugi Kokljuschkin
          FranceX FactorW9 (1)
          M6 (2)
          RTL–TVI
          • Georgia
          X Factor Georgia
          X ფაქტორი
          Rustavi 2 (1–4)
          Imedi TV (5)
          • Gega Palavandishvili (1)
          • la Sukhitashvili (1)
          • Giorgi Kipshidze (2)
          • Ruska Makashvili (3–5)
          • Erekle Getsadze (3)
          • Vaniko Tarkhnishvili (4–5)
          • Season 1, 2014: Tornike Kipiani
          • Season 2, 2015: Giorgi Nakashidze
          • Season 3, 2016: Avto Abeslamidze
          • Season 4, 2017: Sandro Kurcxalidze
          • Season 5, 2018: Anri Guchmanidze
          GermanyX FactorVOX (1–3)
          Sky 1 (4)
          Greece
          Cyprus
          The X FactorANT1 (1–3)
          Skai TV (4–5)

          Open TV (6)
          Omega (6)
          Mega TV (7)
          Alpha TV Cyprus (7)
          • Sakis Rouvas (1–5)
          • Despina Vandi (6)
          • Giorgos Lianos (auditions, 1–3)
          • Despina Kampouri (auditions, 1–2)
          • Maria Sinatsaki (auditions, 3)
          • Evangelia Aravani (backstage, 4–5)
          • Aris Makris (backstage, 6)
          • Andreas Georgiou (7)
          • Ilias Bogdanos (backstage, 7)
          • Katerina Lioliou (backstage, 7)
          HungaryX-FaktorRTL
          • Current
          • Dávid Miller (10–)
          • Joci Pápai (12–)
          • Former
          • Nóra Ördög (1–3)
          • Balázs Sebestyén (1)
          • Lilu (4)
          • Bence Istenes (4–6)
          • Ramóna Kiss (7–9)
          • Dóra Kovács (backstage, 6)
          • Alexandra Koholák (backstage, 7)
          • Zsófi Szabó (backstage, 8–9)
          • Current
          • Laci Gáspár (6–)
          • Péter Majoros (12–)
          • Milán Valkusz (12–)
          • Andrea Tóth (12–)
          • Former
          • Peti Puskás (6–11)
          • ByeAlex (6–11)
          • Erika Herceg (11)
          • Péter Geszti (1–4)
          • Ildikó Keresztes (1–3)
          • Miklós Malek (1–3)
          • Feró Nagy (1–3)
          • Róbert Alföldi (4–5)
          • Róbert Szikora (4–5)
          • Gabi Tóth (4–6)
          • Little G Weevil (5)
          • Gigi Radics (7–8)
          • Bogi Dallos (9)
          • Adél Csobot (10)
          IcelandX FactorStöð 2
          IndiaX Factor IndiaSony Entertainment TV
          IndonesiaX Factor IndonesiaRCTI
          • Robby Purba
          IranStageManoto
          • Season 1, 2016: Amirhossein Eftekhari
          • Season 2, 2017: Alireza Saremi
          IsraelThe X Factor ישראל
          The X Factor Israel
          Channel 2 (1–2)
          Reshet (1–2)
          Reshet 13 (3–4)
          ItalyX FactorCurrent
          Sky Uno (5–)
          TV8 (9–)

          Former
          Rai 2 (1–4)
          JapanX Factor Okinawa JapanOkinawa TV
          • Season 1, 2013–14: Sky's the Limit
          KazakhstanX FactorPerviy Kanal Evraziya
          • Current
          • Arnur Istybaev (2–6, 9 -)
          • Former
          • Adil Liyan (1)
          • Daniyar Dzumadilov (7–8)
          • Current
          • Nurbergen Makhambetov (5 from live–)
          • Eva Becher (6, 9-)
          • Dilnaz Akhmadieva (4–5, until live, 7, 9 -)
          • Former
          • Nagima Eskalieva (1-8)
          • Alexander Shevchenko (1–5)
          • Sultana Karazhigitova (1–2, until live)
          • Ismail Igіlmanov (2, from live)
          • Erlan Kokeev (3)
          • Anatoliy Tsoy (8)
          • Season 1, 2011

            Dariya Gabdull

          • Season 2, 2012: Andrey Tikhonov
          • Season 3, 2013: Evgeniya Barysheva
          • Season 4, 2013: Kairat Kapanov
          • Season 5, 2014: Evgeny Vyblov
          • Season 6, 2015: Astana Kargabay
          • Season 7, 2018: Dilnura Birzhanova
          • Season 8, 2020–21: Bro
          • Season 9, 2022–23: Miras Erbolov
          • Season 10, 2023–24: Ulpan Zumabek
          LatviaX FaktorsTV3
          • Season 1, 2017: Artūrs Gruzdiņš
          • Season 2, 2018: Kattie
          • Season 3, 2019: Elīna Gluzunova
          • Season 4, 2021: Grēta Grantiņa
          • Season 5, 2023: Emilija Bērziņa
          LithuaniaX FaktoriusTV3
          • Season 1, 2012–13: Giedrė Vokietytė
          • Season 2, 2013–14: Žygimantas Gečas
          • Season 3, 2015–16: Monika Pundziūtė
          • Season 4, 2016–17: Iglė Bernotaitytė
          • Season 5, 2017–18: 120
          • Season 6, 2018–19: Good Time Boys
          • Season 7, 2019: Milda Martinkėnaitė
          • Season 8, 2021: Mando
          • Season 9, 2022: Spurr
          • Season 10, 2024: Upcoming season
          X Faktorius. Žvaigždės
          X Factor. Stars
          • Mindaugas Stasiulis
          • Mindaugas Rainys
          • Season 1, 2020: Milita Daikerytė
          MaltaX Factor MaltaTVM[3]
          • Current
          • Gianni Zammit (4–)
          • Former
          • Ben Camille (1–3)
          MyanmarThe X Factor MyanmarMRTV 4
          • Zaw Htet (1)
          • Hmu Thiha Thu (2)
          • Si Thu Lwin (1–2)
          • Nge Nge (1–2)
          • Eaint Chit (1)
          • Za War (1–2)
          • Zam Nuu (2)
          NetherlandsX FactorRTL 4
          • Wendy van Dijk (1–4)
          • Martijn Krabbe (2–5)
          • Nathalie Bulters (Backstage, 3)
          • Eva Treurniet (Backstage, 3)
          • Lieke van Lexmond (Backstage, 4)
          • Ferry Doedens (Backstage, 5)
          New ZealandThe X FactorTV3
          NorwayX FactorTV 2
          • Charlotte Thorstvedt (1)
          • Ravi (2)
          • Guri Solberg (2)
          • Peter Moi Brubresko (Xtra Factor)
          • Katarina Flatland (Xtra Factor)
          PhilippinesThe X Factor PhilippinesABS–CBN
          PolandX FactorTVN
          PortugalFactor XSIC
          • Sónia Tavares (1–2)
          • Paulo Junqueiro (1–2)
          • Paulo Ventura (1–2)
          • Miguel Guedes (2)
          • Season 1, 2013–14: Berg
          • Season 2, 2014: Kika Kardoso
          RomaniaX FactorAntena 1
          • Current
          • Mihai Morar (11–)
          • Former
          • Mihai Bendeac (8)
          • Vlad Dragulin (8)
          • Răzvan Simion (1–7, 9–10)
          • Dani Oțil (1–7, 9–10)
          RussiaСекрет успеха
          Secret of Success (1–2)
          Фактор А
          The A Factor (3–5)
          Главная сцена
          The Main Stage (6–7)
          RTR (1–2)

          Russia 1 (3–7)
          • Season 1, 2005: Vladimir Sapovsky
          • Season 2, 2007: Nikolay Timokhin
          • Season 3, 2011: Sergei Savin
          • Season 4, 2012: Alexey Sulima
          • Season 5, 2013: Mali
          • Season 6, 2015: Sardor Milano
          • Season 7, 2015–16: Arseny Borodin
          SloveniaX FaktorPOP TV
          • Damjan Damjanovič
          • Jadranka Juras
          • Aleš Uranjek
          • Season 1, 2012: Demetra Malalan
          South AfricaThe X Factor SASABC 1
          • Andile Ncube
          • Season 1, 2015: FOUR
          SpainFactor X
          • Current
          • Former
          • Xtra Factor
          • Nando Escribano
          • Current
          • Willy Bárcenas
          • Former
          • Miqui Puig
          • Jorge Flo
          • Xavi Martínez
          • Fernando Montesinos
          SwedenX FactorTV4
          ThailandThe X Factor ThailandWorkpoint TV
          • Season 1, 2017: Slow
          TurkeyX Factor: Star IşığıKanal D
          • Season 1, 2014: Cancelled[6]
          UkraineThe X FactorSTB
          • Oksana Marchenko
          • Daria Trehubova
          • Ihor Kondratiuk
          United Kingdom (Original)<----This is not a joint show with Ireland---->The X FactorITV
          ITV
            United StatesThe X FactorFox
            El Factor X
            The X Factor
            (Spanish Kids version)
            MundoFox
            • Season 1, 2013: Los Tres Charritos
            UzbekistanX-Faktor OʻzbekistonFTV
            VietnamThe X Factor Vietnam
            Nhân tố bí ẩn
            VTV3
            • Nguyên Khang (1)
            • Thu Thủy (1)
            • Thành Trung (2)
            • Gil Lê (2)
            • Season 1, 2014: Giang Hồng Ngọc
            • Season 2, 2016: Trần Minh Như
            West AfricaX FactorAIT, NTA,
            STV, ViaSat,
            WAP TV
            • Season 1, 2013: DJ Switch
            Notes

            See also

            Notes and References

            1. Described as "something you can't quite put your finger on" by Cheryl Cole, a judge on the UK version of The X Factor, The Xtra Factor, 23 November 2009
            2. Web site: X Factor Belarus to go on air in autumn . Belta.by . Belta Press Agency . 27 January 2020 . 15 January 2021.
            3. Web site: The X Factor Malta minn Ottubru. 20 June 2018. TVM. mt .
            4. Web site: Factor X. Cuatro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091206045830/http://www.cuatro.com/microsites/factorx. 6 December 2009.
            5. Web site: Telecinco recupera por sorpresa 'Factor X' 6 años después de su última edición . FormulaTV . 24 January 2024 . Spanish . 23 January 2024.
            6. Kanal D cancelled the series during one of the live episodes in July 2014 due to poor ratings.