'X Factor' changes 'will bring more cash'

Changes to the format of The X Factor have been designed to increase revenue for its producers, it has been claimed.

The results shows for this year's programme will reportedly be shifted to Sunday evenings, which will put it up against the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in the schedules.

According to The Mirror, organisers hope that an extra day of voting will increase calls to the show's premium rate line and will also raise advertising revenue over the weekend.

Profits from the voting line are split between ITV, Talkback Thames and production company SyCo.

A show insider said: "Lines will open during the show on Saturday and won't close until the results on Sunday, which means lots of extra cash."

Regarding the reported six and seven-figure wages for the programme's judges, the source added: "It sounds like a lot of money in the current financial climate but X Factor is one of the jewels in ITV's crown. It is guaranteed ratings gold."