New York, NY (Top40 Charts / AXS TV) The stage is set, as AXS TV prepares to bring the legendary star-making series The X Factor UK to the United States for the first time ever. Created by
Simon Cowell and co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames (a label of FremantleMedia UK), the celebrated singing competition will launch in a special two-night premiere event at 8 p.m. ET this Sunday, August 31 and Monday,
September 1. Since 2003, the franchise has produced an unprecedented number of successful artists, and will seek to add to that list in its 11th season. A fresh crop of talent is already poised to make their mark.
Over the past decade, The X Factor UK has set the benchmark for greatness amongst its primetime rivals, discovering international superstars that have changed the landscape of modern pop music. The X Factor globally has launched more international breakout stars than any other TV singing competition show and The X Factor UK is the trailblazer in global music success. The roster of chart-toppers includes winners and runners-up alike, boasting standouts such as season seven finalists - currently the biggest selling artists in the world One Direction, who have sold over 45 million records globally and had nine No. 1 hits. Also
Little Mix, who made history when they became the first group to win the competition in season eight, and broke records when their debut album reached the fourth spot on the US Billboard Top 200, dethroning the
Spice Girls and earning the highest-charting debut of all-time by a British girl group. The newest international The X Factor UK breakout is 2011 finalist
Ella Henderson who released her debut single, the platinum selling "
Ghost" in July 2014 and is currently the UK's fastest selling artist this year.
Other X Factor UK highlights include
Leona Lewis who has sold over 30 million records and was the first X Factor UK international break out artist and season six runner-up and platinum selling artist Olly Murs, whose 2010 self-titled debut had the biggest week one sales for a debut album that year and has gone on tour in the US with One Direction. The 2013 The X Factor UK winner
Sam Bailey has 2014's fastest selling UK album to date.
Ready to help find the next superstars and make season 11 a year to remember is an esteemed and experienced judging panel featuring
Simon Cowell, making his anticipated return for the first time in four years; America's Got Talent favorite Mel B in her first appearance as a judge; pop princess Cheryl Fernandez-Versini; and legendary manager Louis Walsh. The X Factor UK's familiar format puts contestants through two sets of opening auditions, where hopefuls will first come face-to-face with the judges in closed room auditions. Those who receive three or more yeses will perform in front of a packed arena, with top contestants advancing to the live show.
"Over the course of its 11-season run, The X Factor UK has emerged as a true tastemaker in the music industry," said Michele M. Dix, AXS TV's senior vice president, programming and development. "The show's ability to consistently produce these world-renowned artists is a testament to how knowledgeable the judges are and what a keen eye for talent they possess. AXS TV is excited to bring this series stateside, and be the first to introduce the next generation of aspiring pop stars to the U.S."
The X Factor UK airs on
Saturdays and Sundays in the UK, with season 11 premiering on Saturday, August 30. Each episode re-airs on AXS TV 24 hours after the original broadcast, with Saturday episodes airing every Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. Sunday episodes will re-air every Monday at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT. AXS TV will feature all 34 episodes of the series, from the opening auditions, to boot camp installments and live broadcasts.
ABOUT AXS TV
Launched in July 2012 by visionary entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is dedicated to providing the best in music programming and festivals, comedy performances, current events and mixed martial arts promotions. AXS TV is a partnership between Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. The network is available in the United States via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers. The network is also distributed in Canada and the Caribbean. For more information, visit the website, www.axs.tv; go to the Facebook page here and follow the company on Twitter, @axstv; on Instagram; Tumblr and YouTube.
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