The X-Factor USA in HD?

Hallelujah! At last a NZ network has seized the initiative to screen a top TV property within hours of its US bradcast.

TV3 says Kiwis will be among the first in the world to see The X-Factor USA — but there’s still a question mark over whether we will get to see it in HD.

Simon Cowell’s new talent quest vehicle will screen here from September 21, barely seven hours after it goes to air in the US.

There, it will play on the same network, Fox, as American Idol, but in NZ TV3 has the rights.

And unlike TV2, which played Idol same-week rather than same-day, it’s recognised the importance of ripping The X-Factor USA off the satellite as soon as possible.

“The X-Factor USA is the ultimate in event television, and TV3 viewers will effectively be there as it happens, sharing every dramatic beat with US audiences,” programming chief Kelly Martin said in a statement.

“When the worldwide buzz about a show is this big, the only way to programme it is as close to the international broadcast as humanly possible, and that’s what we are going to do.”

However, the network can’t yet confirm until closer to transmission if The X-Factor USA, or its stablemate, Rove LA, will screen in HD.

Meanwhile, in case you don’t know what the fuss is about with The X-Factor USA, it’s a talent competition open to contestants 12 years and older — there’s no upper age limit.

Cowell’s fellow judges will be Paula Abdul, LA Reid and Nicole Scherzinger, and up for grabs is a $US5 million record deal – the largest guaranteed prize in television history – with Syco, a joint venture between Sony Music and Cowell.

Months before the show’s launch date was announced, it’s been generating headlines for its judging panel squabbles and the split between Cowell and ex-Idol pal Simon Fuller.

The Hollywood Reporter has the best background on this, as well as a behind-the-scenes promotional video.