Seven to launch The X Factor in Australia with Sandilands, Keating, Imbruglia and Sebastian as judges
Sev
en is aiming to become the home of the talent contest, relaunching The X Factor into Australia with auditions starting in a fortnight’s time and the show on air later this year.
The program – which will be produced by Fremantle Media – has been a ratings juggernaut with the franchise in more than 20 countries.
Creator Simon Cowell, who fronts the UK and forthcoming US judging panels, will not be on the Australian jury. Kyle Sandilands, who also judges Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent, will be joined by three singers – Natalie Imbruglia, Guy Sebastian and Ronan Keating – on the panel.
The launch potentially creates a major dilemma for Ten, which has been resting Australian Idol. The network will now have to decide whether there is enough public appetite for three TV talent contests if it is to bring it back.
Seven CEO David Leckie said of The X Factor: “It’s a bloody great show.”
As well as AGT, Sandilands was previously a judge on Australian Idol before losing that role following the scandal over his quizzing a young alleged rape victim over her sex life on his 2Day FM breakfast show.
Guy Sebastian was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003.
Imbruglia, whose career began on Neighbours before she became a singer, will return from the UK for the contest.
Keating, formerly with boyband Westlife Boyzone is already a regular performer in Australia.
The X Factor is open either to solo performers or groups. After the final audition process, the four judges take on mentoring roles of four groups: Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups.
This will culminate with a weekly live show, with a recording contract with Sony Music Australia for the winner.
FremantleMedia Australia’s CEO Ian Hogg said: “Our creative team are determined to make this show something very special, a program that will resonate deeply with Australian audiences.”
In 2005 Ten ran one series of The X Factor with Daniel MacPherson as the presenter.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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topics
Australia's Got Talent
Australian Idol
David Leckie
Fremantle Media
Guy Sebastian
Kyle Sandilands
Natalie Imbruglia
Ronan Keating
Seven
Simon Cowell
television
TV
X Factor
A slight stretch to describe The X Factor as a ratings juggernaut in the US, given that it won’t start there until September 2011. In other words, we’ll get it again before the US gets it the first time.
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Hasn’t there been an Australian series already? Back in the early 00’s?
**googles**
The first series of the music talent elimination show, broadcast on Network Ten in 2005, saw contestants split into three categories: groups, solo 16 to 25, and solo 25 and over. It was hosted by Daniel MacPherson and the judging panel comprised music producer Mark Holden, singer Kate Ceberano and Scottish events manager John Reid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T.....Australia)
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@Joel – correct. We developed the website at the time. The show bombed.
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Thanks, for flagging that up, Angus, Joel & Guy. Now updated…
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Sweet. One more fix — Ronan Keating was (and in fact is) in Boyzone, not Westlife. I gather Seven got that wrong in the release . . .
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Thanks, Angus (are you sure you wanted to own up to knowing that one…?)
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Sadly, it’s scarcely going to make a dent in my pre-existing reputation as a repository of useless and slightly suspect pop culture trivia.
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Disappointed that they chose the wrong Keating: Ronan instead of Paul.
Scumbag! =)
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Perhaps it’s an omen.. they chose the wrong MacPherson too… Daniel instead of Elle
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Can’t wait for the Where Are They Now special for the 2005 finalists…
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Where are the auditions being held??
Does anyone know?
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Hi Kristy,
I’ve updated the link in the first paragraph to the X Factor home page which includes details of the auditions.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella
Kristy, X-Factor has a facebook page, and Twitter is happening too. All auditions are listed already. Looks like the rest of the posters can sit back with a can and watch footy instead, so I don’t expect to hear from them. The host is looking good, great choice.
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As “Angus Kidman” pointed out and i would also like to say….Ronan Keating isn’t ‘Formally’ of Boyzone. HE IS STILL A MEMBER OF BOYZONE.
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Does anybody know how long you wait after the audition before you know if you made it or not? A friend said 3 to 4 weeks but surely you would know before that?
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