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'X Factor' vs. 'Strictly': Your verdict
Published Sunday, Sep 20 2009, 17:47 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 23 comments
No, we're not talking about Amelle's aborted departure from the Sugababes, but last night's TV clash of the titans.
Cowell's The X Factor and the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing went up against each other in the ratings and, although the former came out on top, both shows lost viewers as a result.
Last week we polled you to find out how you would deal with the scheduling clash - and the results are now in.
Some 38.5% of you voted to declare sole allegiance to The X Factor, while just 15.2% of voters said they would be watching only Strictly.
Around 40% of you are confident bishowuals, watching one show live and then the other later.
Meanwhile, a
As several commenters pointed out, we're now living in a world of Sky+ and online catchups, but isn't it more exciting to watch these shows live? So should the BBC surrender and move Strictly to an earlier timeslot? And what would that mean for Merlin? Add your comments to this entry below!
Your Views
23 Comments
Your Responses
Dolce, on September 25th, 2009
im not watching Strictly and Im watching X Factor online. but i dont want to move Strictly earlier or X Factor earlier just beacause it will affect my favorite show Merlin. this is my vote
im not watching Strictly and Im watching X Factor online. but i dont want to move Strictly earlier or X Factor earlier just beacause it will affect my favorite show Merlin. this is my vote
tania ede, Basingstoke, on September 21st, 2009
now that the auditions on x factor are over am i the only one who finds the rest of the show boring the auditions are the best part,. so i know ill be switching over to watch strictly come dancing instead of x factor.
now that the auditions on x factor are over am i the only one who finds the rest of the show boring the auditions are the best part,. so i know ill be switching over to watch strictly come dancing instead of x factor.
Gary, London, on September 21st, 2009
There seems to be a lot of finger pointing at the BBC re the scheduling clash but no-one seems to mention that ITV's decision to swap X Factor and The Cube in the schedule has also played a big part in this. Up until this weekend, XF went out around 7ish, followed by Cube. This week they were swapped over. Why? If XF had stayed in the previous slot it would have had a 25 minute lead on Strictly and would have probably not lost as many viewers. I suppose certain media types want to see ITV as the victimmin this but it seems to be a mix of both.
There seems to be a lot of finger pointing at the BBC re the scheduling clash but no-one seems to mention that ITV's decision to swap X Factor and The Cube in the schedule has also played a big part in this. Up until this weekend, XF went out around 7ish, followed by Cube. This week they were swapped over. Why? If XF had stayed in the previous slot it would have had a 25 minute lead on Strictly and would have probably not lost as many viewers. I suppose certain media types want to see ITV as the victimmin this but it seems to be a mix of both.
Tom, London, on September 21st, 2009
Strictly should win. It is what reality tv should be - people (or 'celebrities') who are successful in their own field learning new techniques from week to week. Although X Factor is edited to make fantastic television, the actual content in terms of talent in the auditionees is really weak. Of course the general viewing public will fall for this though as they know no better. "Mediocracy recognises nothing above itself. It takes talent to recognise genius"
Strictly should win. It is what reality tv should be - people (or 'celebrities') who are successful in their own field learning new techniques from week to week. Although X Factor is edited to make fantastic television, the actual content in terms of talent in the auditionees is really weak. Of course the general viewing public will fall for this though as they know no better. "Mediocracy recognises nothing above itself. It takes talent to recognise genius"
Mick, Luton, on September 21st, 2009
With the comment mentioned that it is more exciting to watch these shows live, it is Yes & No. We watch sport live because it happens live in front of us, so you would watch Strictly live on Saturday night as that is the only show that is live is it not. The X is pre-recorded until the later stages if l am correct.
With the comment mentioned that it is more exciting to watch these shows live, it is Yes & No. We watch sport live because it happens live in front of us, so you would watch Strictly live on Saturday night as that is the only show that is live is it not. The X is pre-recorded until the later stages if l am correct.
Gail, UK, on September 21st, 2009
I watched X Factor and recorded Strictly, I do that every year because X Factor is our family thing on a Saturday night, whereas I like to watch Strictly in peace and quiet. I don't know how much longer I will watch Strictly though, Aleisha Dixon should not be a judge, what qualifies her to judge this competition? I was a huge fan of hers when she danced but she seems to be following the judges lead and doesn't really know what she's talking about.......Bring back Arleen!
I watched X Factor and recorded Strictly, I do that every year because X Factor is our family thing on a Saturday night, whereas I like to watch Strictly in peace and quiet. I don't know how much longer I will watch Strictly though, Aleisha Dixon should not be a judge, what qualifies her to judge this competition? I was a huge fan of hers when she danced but she seems to be following the judges lead and doesn't really know what she's talking about.......Bring back Arleen!
Jamie, Yorks, on September 20th, 2009
X Factor has to win despite changing the format. Strictly is dull and predictable, anyone with no talent but is well known lasts longer than they should. Better dancers but aren't as well known go first...as was demonstrated last night. It always ends up being the guys that female voters fancy and the z list 'enders stars at the end. Now that the boring bit of X Factor is over and we're getting to the business end, its X Factor all the way in our house. Despite the crazy change of the results to Sunday night which will lose the excitement value.
X Factor has to win despite changing the format. Strictly is dull and predictable, anyone with no talent but is well known lasts longer than they should. Better dancers but aren't as well known go first...as was demonstrated last night. It always ends up being the guys that female voters fancy and the z list 'enders stars at the end. Now that the boring bit of X Factor is over and we're getting to the business end, its X Factor all the way in our house. Despite the crazy change of the results to Sunday night which will lose the excitement value.
Greg, West Midlands , on September 20th, 2009
Firstly I cannot believe the scheduling of 2 programmes causes so much interest especially from politicians who should be dealing with matters closer to home such as the economy. Why should the BBC move their schedule just to suit ITV & Mr Cowell. Seems as though Simon wants to rule all tv schedules. Sorry Simon you can throw your rattle out of your pram as many times as you want but this is whats known as competition get a life & get over it. You'll get paid thousands of pounds anyway so why worry. As someone else pointed out ITV will repeat the programme anyway usually on ITV2. What are HDD or video recorders for? I remember to record a programme you want to watch later!
Firstly I cannot believe the scheduling of 2 programmes causes so much interest especially from politicians who should be dealing with matters closer to home such as the economy. Why should the BBC move their schedule just to suit ITV & Mr Cowell. Seems as though Simon wants to rule all tv schedules. Sorry Simon you can throw your rattle out of your pram as many times as you want but this is whats known as competition get a life & get over it. You'll get paid thousands of pounds anyway so why worry. As someone else pointed out ITV will repeat the programme anyway usually on ITV2. What are HDD or video recorders for? I remember to record a programme you want to watch later!
sharon FRANCE, on September 20th, 2009
Serves you right BBC I watched xfactor and I hope you learnt your lesson.
Serves you right BBC I watched xfactor and I hope you learnt your lesson.
Dolce Vita, UK, on September 20th, 2009
Watching X Factor only - Strictly is Agist and Sexist.
Watching X Factor only - Strictly is Agist and Sexist.
Itza, Sandhurst, on September 20th, 2009
It appears that every good TV program gets scheduled for 9pm lately and you cannot watch everything. Now I like both the X factor and Strictly but SWMBO had Strictly on so we watched that- Anyway Itv repeats everything for months on end anyway- so I expect we will see it sometime. Anyway X Factor saves the really good performances till the end and just shows the also runs first.
It appears that every good TV program gets scheduled for 9pm lately and you cannot watch everything. Now I like both the X factor and Strictly but SWMBO had Strictly on so we watched that- Anyway Itv repeats everything for months on end anyway- so I expect we will see it sometime. Anyway X Factor saves the really good performances till the end and just shows the also runs first.
Mark, Penrith, on September 20th, 2009
I don't actually watch Strictly, but i am not saying this because i do watch X-Factor, saying this as an impartial point... BBC shouldn't be trying to chase ratings. They know ITV are struggling at the min and need all the viewers they can get, so BBC should see this and not put one of their higher viewed shows against ITVs popular show. ITV shouldn't have to move X-Factor as they had already arranged the times for it, BBC need to remember they get money no matter what, ITV don't
I don't actually watch Strictly, but i am not saying this because i do watch X-Factor, saying this as an impartial point... BBC shouldn't be trying to chase ratings. They know ITV are struggling at the min and need all the viewers they can get, so BBC should see this and not put one of their higher viewed shows against ITVs popular show. ITV shouldn't have to move X-Factor as they had already arranged the times for it, BBC need to remember they get money no matter what, ITV don't
David, London, on September 20th, 2009
WTF WTF.. all i have to say is ITV, should be ashamed of themselves, one of their biggest shows, and they want compitition, i mean really you don't have to have a rating battle. Sort it out!
WTF WTF.. all i have to say is ITV, should be ashamed of themselves, one of their biggest shows, and they want compitition, i mean really you don't have to have a rating battle. Sort it out!
Brendan, Surrey, on September 20th, 2009
Simon Cowell wants to throw his weight around and influence TV schedules. The man is a maggot. This year's X Factor is nothing of the sort, it's Britain's Got Talent. See how he reaches for the X button during the show, even HE'S confused! He's messed with the format, cross pollinated the franchise and messed it up. So much for his judgment!
Simon Cowell wants to throw his weight around and influence TV schedules. The man is a maggot. This year's X Factor is nothing of the sort, it's Britain's Got Talent. See how he reaches for the X button during the show, even HE'S confused! He's messed with the format, cross pollinated the franchise and messed it up. So much for his judgment!
Jim, Glasgow, on September 20th, 2009
Frankly, I'm getting a bit fed up of X-Factor. We all know that acts have to go through several layers of production filtering - so why should obviously atrocious acts ever have to come before the judges? It's obvious now where the howlers are going to arise, just from the setup shots. This programme is going the way of Big Brother, sadly. It's devoid of new ideas - which is why I've turned to Strictly..
Frankly, I'm getting a bit fed up of X-Factor. We all know that acts have to go through several layers of production filtering - so why should obviously atrocious acts ever have to come before the judges? It's obvious now where the howlers are going to arise, just from the setup shots. This programme is going the way of Big Brother, sadly. It's devoid of new ideas - which is why I've turned to Strictly..
Bob, Manchester, on September 20th, 2009
X Factor wins. Better Judges (Sorry Alisha but you're rubbish), better talent and I know about 3 contestants on Strictly this year. X Factor has comedy, talent and better judges.
X Factor wins. Better Judges (Sorry Alisha but you're rubbish), better talent and I know about 3 contestants on Strictly this year. X Factor has comedy, talent and better judges.
Megs, Sussex, on September 20th, 2009
I'm not watching either series that much at the moment. Strictly isn't the same with Alesha (I love Alesha as a performer but not as a judge!) and the celebs aren't very good this year. Don't like X Factor as much anymore cause of the set up. I used to be glued to the screen but I haven't watching one episode all the way through yet.
I'm not watching either series that much at the moment. Strictly isn't the same with Alesha (I love Alesha as a performer but not as a judge!) and the celebs aren't very good this year. Don't like X Factor as much anymore cause of the set up. I used to be glued to the screen but I haven't watching one episode all the way through yet.
Peter, Harlow, on September 20th, 2009
Why should the BBC move Strictly back? Why is there all the talk about them having to shunt back to the weaker earlier slots like last year? In my opinion the Beeb and ITV should strike a sharing time slot deal. Yes the clash is bad for viewers. Very bad. Despite 'sole allegiences' most people watch and enjoy both shows. Last year The X Factor went out later. If they agreed to share the later time slot either week by week or series by series then they could both be happy. ITV are desperate for the advertising revenue. The Beeb obviously isn't. So it seems ITV have more to lose and yes, they did come out on top last night, but they clearly lost considerably more viewers when comparing previous episodes then Strictly did. Thats what ITV were worried about. It proved correct. I think the onus is more on ITV then the Beeb. The Beeb have played hardball and are waiting for ITV to crack.
Why should the BBC move Strictly back? Why is there all the talk about them having to shunt back to the weaker earlier slots like last year? In my opinion the Beeb and ITV should strike a sharing time slot deal. Yes the clash is bad for viewers. Very bad. Despite 'sole allegiences' most people watch and enjoy both shows. Last year The X Factor went out later. If they agreed to share the later time slot either week by week or series by series then they could both be happy. ITV are desperate for the advertising revenue. The Beeb obviously isn't. So it seems ITV have more to lose and yes, they did come out on top last night, but they clearly lost considerably more viewers when comparing previous episodes then Strictly did. Thats what ITV were worried about. It proved correct. I think the onus is more on ITV then the Beeb. The Beeb have played hardball and are waiting for ITV to crack.
Gary Gardner, on September 20th, 2009
No contest. You should only compare apples with apples Strictly vs Dancing on Ice maybe. In which case Dancing n Ice by a landslide for me
No contest. You should only compare apples with apples Strictly vs Dancing on Ice maybe. In which case Dancing n Ice by a landslide for me
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to move Merin is bad idea. timeslot is ideal for all family show. My children will be devastated