The X Factor: Premiere Ratings

After months of anticipation, FOX unveiled the US version of The X Factor last night. With a reunion of former American Idol judges and Paula Abdul, the network was hoping to get some American Idol-like numbers for their fall season. They were no doubt disappointed.

While The X Factor had a very positive debut, the ratings were less than half of last spring’s Idol kickoff. Based on the fast affiliate numbers, X Factor garnered a 4.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 11.72 million viewers. The series premiere easily won its timeslot 8pm timeslot but was trounced by ABC’s Modern Family at 9pm (CBS’ Criminal Minds was a close third).

We’ll have to wait for the final national numbers but X Factor won’t even likely be the network’s biggest series premiere of the season. Tuesday night’s New Girl sitcom brought in a 4.8 in the demo and 10.28 million viewers.

X Factor’s numbers are certainly nothing to sneeze at but FOX was surely hoping for another blockbuster right out of the gate. They didn’t get it. Perhaps the market is finally starting to get saturated with singing competitions?

What do you think? Did you watch The X Factor last night? What did you think? What’s your gut instinct? Should the new series continue or be cancelled after one season?