"The X Factor" is under fire in the ratings and ITV's acquisition of rival show "The Voice" from BBC certainly is not helping Simon Cowell and company.
ITV, the network that owns the rights to "The X Factor," just announced that it has acquired "The Voice" from BBC. According to The Guardian, the rival of "The X Factor" was poached by ITV from its current network, after BBC declined to match or outbid the offer made on their Saturday night mainstay show.
BBC acting director of television Mark Linsey said, "We always said we wouldn't get into a bidding war or pay inflated prices to keep the show, and it's a testament to how BBC has built the programme up- and established it into a mainstay of the Saturday night schedule - that another broadcaster has poached it."
With its rating declining steadily, "The X Factor" faces the real threat of being cancelled now that "The Voice" is coming over. It is unlikely that ITV will want to have another singing competition especially that it also has "Britain's Got Talent." The idea of having other broadcasters acquire the show has been floated around with the possibility of Sky getting the rights of "The X Factor."
Meanwhile, in a report by the Huffington Post, a move that will most likely be construed as "desperate," Cowell is reportedly planning to eliminate two singers each week on "The X Factor." The plan was reported in the light of the recent announcement by ITV that it has acquired hot ticket "The Voice" from BBC.
The talent show of Cowell and company has been struggling in the ratings as of late and a source from the show has indicated that removing two acts each week should spike the thrill factor and will allow the judges to zero in on the best singers.
