Update: Wednesday’s two-hour (8-10PM) “The X Factor” drew a 2.2 adults 18-49 rating with 6.56 million viewers. Competitor “Survivor,” which aired from 8-9:30PM, garnered a 2.6 rating with 9.53 million, while the first hour (9-10PM) of the “America’s Got Talent” finale was worth a 2.3 and 10.5 million.
Because all music competition series tend to suffer ratings declines for the live performance rounds, “The X Factor” is certainly not out of danger. There absolutely remains a risk that current audition viewership levels, which can be described as disappointing at best, could turn ugly by the end of the season.
But at least the show is not yet suffering from significant tune-out. According to TV Media Insights, Wednesday’s two-hour audition episode drew a 5.1 overnight metered market rating, which was in line with the number for last Thursday’s episode and up from last Wednesday’s hourlong premiere.
The connection between overnight ratings and final adults 18-49 and viewership data is not exact, but the steadiness in the metered market figure suggests it will land in the same ballpark on those metrics as well.
Though none of the other broadcast networks has yet launched into its complete fall lineup, they did provide meaningful competition for this week’s “Factor.” CBS offered the season premiere of “Survivor” (6.2 from 8-9:30), while NBC wrapped up “America’s Got Talent” (7.1 from 9-11PM; the first hour was competitive with FOX).
That very tangible competition puts a positive spin on the “X Factor” rating, which by virtue of it steadiness proves the show has a core audience.
Still, given how small that core is in comparison to those of “The Voice” and “American Idol”–and even in comparison to what “X Factor” drew in its prior two seasons–the end assessment of the show’s performance must still a negative one.