X Factor to move from prime time Saturday night slot to avoid Strictly clash?

Earlier this week it was revealed that The X Factor had suffered a huge ratings defeat thanks to the return of Strictly Come Dancing.

The ITV singing competition enjoyed just half the viewing figures that the BBC dance show received.

Now it has been claimed that X Factor could end up giving up their prime time Saturday night slot in a bid to salvage viewing figures, with TV analyst Tom Harrington telling the Daily Star that the drastic change could be Simon Cowell’s only chance to win back the audience.

He explained: “Strictly and X Factor have been going head-to-head together in some capacity for years.

“Up to this time that consistency indicates that for both the BBC and ITV the arrangement works.

“That may change however with X Factor’s decline.”

An ITV source remained vague when asked for comment, simply saying: “In terms of scheduling, we just focus on our show and where we think is the best slot for the programme.”

However, a BBC spokesperson remained adamant that Strictly would be sticking with Saturday nights, saying in a statement: “We have always broadcast Strictly at the heart of the Saturday night schedule, precisely where the public want the biggest show on TV.”

Strictly officially returned to our screens on Saturday night, with the two and a half hour run time overlapping X Factor for 45 minutes – costing X Factor 1.5million viewers.

The BBC enjoyed a staggering 10.2million viewers, almost doubling X Factor’s 5.4million.

Speaking to The Sun, a source explained: “The figures are better than anyone had hoped for. The show is getting bigger and bigger.

“The competition with The X Factor is well and truly won.”

Strictly’s viewing figures have been climbing steadily since 2010, going from 7.1million to 8.7million in 2015.

At its peak, X Factor only managed 6.2million viewers – with viewing figure plummeting to a historic low of 2.9million when up against Strictly last year.

Yahoo Celeb UK have contacted X Factor’s reps for comment.

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