So –
Do you think Cowell’s absence from AI has made a difference (positive or negative) and do you plan to watch the US version of the X Factor later this year? And what do you predict will happen re. ratings of AI and X Factor?
Seems Cowell is offering a much bigger prize ($5M) than AI and it’s opened up to any age and groups, like the UK version (there’s a minimum age, but it’s very low). And X Factor is much more “dramatic” and flashy than Idol, and centered a lot more around the judges and rivalry between them as they mentor each category (boys, girls, over 25s, and groups).
I’ve always preferred the X Factor - it’s simply more entertaining - but that’s just a taste thing. And personally, I’m finding AI a bit lackluster and boring without Cowell - dunno if I’ll last the season. AI ratings are down again - it now has about 22M viewers, which is similar to X Factor viewers in a country a sixth of the size (i.e. a much smaller market share). What about you?