Sunday 22 August 2010

The X Factor: Making the worst sound even worse?

Watched ITV's seventh(!) series of The X Factor last night. I record it and fast-forward the annoying adverts and Louis Walsh.


Anyway, I'm sure I noticed a change from previous episodes. The singers heading home had poor quality karaoke backing tracks -- the approved singers had professional-sounding music.


Was this the individual choice of the "candidates" or a new Simon Cowell ploy to widen the quality gap?

UPDATE: Email response from ITV/Channel TV:


Thank you for your e-mail to ITV about this programme, it has been passed to us at Channel for a response as we look after it for the ITV Network – the programme is made by Talkback Thames, an independent production company.


The introduction of the live audience at auditions in 2009 meant that the process to incorporate the sound recorded on the day became more complicated.  Sound filtering technology is employed during post production but it is important to note that this does not unfairly reflect any performance.  The performances shown on-screen are a fair reflection of the performance given in the live arena.  The judges make their decisions based on these – quite simply, you can’t make a bad singer into a good singer with post production effects.


I hope this addresses your concerns, but if you would like to take the matter further you may wish to contact our regulators, Ofcom, either via their website www.ofcom.org.uk or by telephone to 020 7981 3000.


Thank you again for your feedback, it is very much appreciated, good or bad.  I have, of course, passed on your comments to Talkback Thames.


With all best wishes,


Xxxx