MediaWorks Announces Second Season Of The X Factor NZ

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Monday 4 August, 2014

MediaWorks Announces Second Season Of The X Factor NZ

It’s back! The search for the next Jackie, Whenua, Benny, or Moorhouse is about to begin. MediaWorks TV today announced a second series of the 2013 juggernaut The X Factor NZ to screen on TV3 in 2015, with nationwide pre-auditions held later this year.

The first season of The X Factor NZ was a phenomenal success, with viewers embracing the Kiwi flavour TV3 brought to the hit talent show. When pre-auditions in kicked off January 2013, more than 6,000 Kiwis signed up to be part of the Simon Cowell phenomenon. Six months later, 500,000 votes were cast in the Grand Decider Final with 1.3 million viewers tuning in to see Jackie Thomas crowned winner of The X Factor NZ. (5+ cume).

The X Factor also created history on the NZ Top 40 chart with the singles of the final three, Jackie, Benny Tipene and Whenua Patuwai (released through SONY Music New Zealand) going straight to #1, #2 and #3 – the first time The X Factor format has produced the top three singles in any territory in the world.

The X Factor NZ was the most talked about show in TV3’s history, dominating news headlines and water cooler conversations, and setting record levels of social media engagement.

MediaWorks TV Director of Programming, Mark Caulton says: “It’s fantastic to be bringing The X Factor NZ back to TV3. The first series was a huge success, and Jackie a deserving winner. It’s also rewarding to see the on-going success of other contestants like Benny Tipene, now a SONY Music Entertainment New Zealand artist.

“The X Factor was the biggest pop culture show of 2013 and with Season 2 we can expect it to be bigger and better. We’ll be introducing innovative new aspects to the programme and will again be extending online through our websites and social media communities, and working with our partners at MediaWorks Radio.”

In 2013, SONY Music signed the top four The X Factor NZ contestants, Jackie Thomas, Whenua Patuwai, Benny Tipene and Moorhouse. The LIVE performance shows also proved a boost for established New Zealand artists, with songs performed on The X Factor racing up the national and iTunes charts.

SONY Music Entertainment New Zealand Managing Director, Kim Boshier says: “The X Factor has proven time and time again that it’s not only an extraordinary TV show but also an incredible format for discovering new talent - who go on to have long and successful careers. We are incredibly excited about the return of the show in New Zealand and look forward to working with next year’s winner.”

The X Factor NZ is a SYCO owned format, and will be co-produced by MediaWorks and FremantleMedia Australia. NZ on Air is a minority funder of the show.

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ABOUT THE X FACTOR

The X Factor NZ is the local version of the global television phenomenon format put on the map by music mogul Simon Cowell. The X Factor NZ is open to singers of ages 14 and up, who complete in one of four categories: Boys under 25, Girls under 25, Over 25s and Groups. Each category is mentored by one of the four judges. (In 2013, the judges were Melanie Blatt, Daniel Bedingfield, Stan Walker and Ruby Frost, with Dominic Bowden as host.) At stake is the coveted title of the winner of The X Factor NZ and a recording contract with SONY Music Entertainment New Zealand.

The X Factor NZ by the numbers:
• 152,724 Facebook fans (and counting)
• 553,976 of votes cast in the Grand Finals
• 844,945 VOD streams of individual song performances
• 886,220 Video on Demand (VOD) streams of full episodes.
• 3,285,500 Kiwis (79.7% of the population) tuned into the hit TV3 show during the series (5+ cume).
• 7,299,691 page impressions on The X Factor NZ website

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