X Factor's first live shows draws in over 1m more viewers than last year... but Strictly STILL wins ratings war

It seems like the X Factor shake-up has paid off for Simon Cowell, after it was revealed on Sunday that the first live show drew in more viewers than 2015.

With a peak performance at 7.2 million viewers - compared to last year's 5.6 million - the X Factor was the most-watched show on ITV, but Strictly Come Dancing still won the Saturday night ratings war, overall. 

The BBC's rival entertainment programme was broadcast in an earlier time slot and drew in more than three million more viewers.

With an average of 6.2 million viewers, X Factor achieved an audience share of 29% when it aired at 8pm, while Strictly was watched by 9.6 million with a 44.8% share.

There was a slight overlap in programming, with Strictly starting at 6.45pm and finishing at 8.50pm as the celebrity dancers completed their Movie Week routines. 

The current series of ITV's flagship entertainment show has seen viewing numbers rise from its first episode.

Judge Cowell changed the panel line-up to include old favourites Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh, and long-running presenter Dermot O'Leary also returned after a year away.

Last year, Caroline Flack presented alongside Olly Murs, while Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw joined the panel with returning judge Cheryl. 

The first X Factor live episode saw Brooks Way absent from the stage, after one of the group was accused of sending threatening messages to an ex-girlfriend, according to reports.




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