Joined by his remaining “Group” Alex and Sierra, Simon Cowell participated in a press conference Monday to promote this week’s season three “The X Factor” finale.
His most noteworthy comment, however, concerned the franchise’s future beyond this week.
According to Cowell, “The show will be back next season.”
If there is indeed merit to Cowell’s declaration, it would mark a significant surprise for television ratings aficionados. After delivering gravely disappointing–but still competitive–ratings for its first two seasons, “The X Factor” spent much of its current season in the abyss.
Excitement over the aformentioned Alex and Sierra–evidenced by the fact that the duo is now outperforming any act from NBC’s higher-rated “The Voice” on iTunes–has not spurred an upward ratings trajectory.
Last Wednesday’s two-hour performance show placed fourth in its 8-10PM timeslot with a disastrous 1.4 adults 18-49 rating and 4.97 million viewers. The following night’s results show was third from 8-9PM with a mere 1.2 rating and 4.90 million.
Cowell’s comment Monday was not, however, the first indication that FOX might be sticking with its little-watched series. Last month, word broke that FOX was considering a fourth season of the show, perhaps with a reduced episode order (that would allow for two, rather than three, hours of “The X Factor” per week).
FOX has yet to address talk of a fourth season.