X Factor has lowest launch ratings since show began

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41149568

The X Factor returned with an average audience of six million viewers on Saturday night - the lowest launch show ratings since the show began in 2004. Last year's first episode had an average of 6.8 million viewers. It was still the most watched show of the night with a 32% audience share. Numbers are also likely to rise once consolidated figures are released. Sunday night's episode had a slight rise in its audience - 6.5 million viewers, up from 6.3 million in 2016. It was again the most watched show of the night, with a 29% share of the audience. The 14th series of X Factor has had a format shake-up, with fewer live shows and auditions returned to an intimate room setting.

Louis Tomlinson and Robbie Williams named new judges on The X Factor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44436738

Robbie Williams is to join the X Factor judging panel when the show returns to screens this summer, ITV has announced. The former Take That singer, 44, fills the vacancy left by long-standing judge Louis Walsh, who quit the show last month after 13 years. Louis Tomlinson will join the panel along with Robbie's wife Ayda Field, and long-term judge Simon Cowell. Sharon Osbourne will also be a judge - but only on the live shows that follow the pre-filmed auditions. The new judging panel was unveiled in central London on Tuesday ahead of the auditions, which are set to begin later this week.

Viewing figures have fallen to 3m for the prime time viewing for the Saturday night show.