HDTV Ratings: September 13

News of TV3 making its own X Factor next year follows mixed ratings for the US season’s premiere on Thursday.

The two-hour launch seesawed with TV2’s reality shows in most of the major demographics, averaging 7.9% – 10.7%.

TV2’s line-up dominated from 7.30-9.30 but traditionally shows like X Factor don’t develop momentum until the auditions are over and the finalists start to compete.

While the first-night ratings may have lacked that x-factor, they were three-to-four times higher than HD lead-out Smash. Episode two fared worst than the series premiere, averaging only 2.1% – 2.9%.

On paper, it must have seemed inspired to team a musical drama with the drama of a musical talent quest.

But when a peak-hour series rates lower than a 10.30 drama, like Fringe (3.1% – 4.3%), you know the curtain’s about to come down on it.

Auckland Daze also slumped to a season low, averaging only 1.7% – 2.9% off the back of Mrs Brown’s Boys’ 7.5% – 11.4%.

While NZOA’a contribution of $1.6 million towards 30 episodes of X Factor NZ will be controversial in the wake of public broadcasting’s decline, it won’t be bankrolling NZ’s Got Talent in 2013 as well.

“We are thrilled that variety series New Zealand’s Got Talent has premiered to a huge audience this year, and we wish the same success for The X Factor NZ in 2013,” NZOA chief executive Jane Wrightson said in a statement.

“These programmes celebrating this country’s talent are very expensive to produce and we are pleased to help get them over the line.

“NZ On Air is only able to fund one of these series in a single financial year, so the timing has worked out well.

“Not only does it provide arts entertainment for audiences in prime time, but it also helps to find new music talent. Both are important to us.”

The winner of The X Factor NZ will be signed to Sony Music Entertainment NZ. Managing director Kim Boshier says The X Factor is recognised throughout the music industry as a legitimate and respected way to find talent.

“In the last three or four years some of the greatest recording artists on our roster have come from the X Factor format and we’re excited to finally have the format in New Zealand.”

Register at TV3.co.nz/xfactornz to receive information on The X Factor NZ (including how to enter) or you can discuss it at facebook.com/xfactornz.