AXS TV To Air British-Based 'X Factor' In U.S.

AXS TV will bring former American Idol judge Simon Cowell's British-based TheX Factor UK series to U.S. viewers this fall, the network announced Wednesday.

AXS TV will air the 11th season of The X Factor UK as part of an agreement with FremantleMedia International and Syco Entertainment. The series will air on AXS TV Sundays and Mondays starting August 31 at 8 p.m., 24 hours after the respective UK broadcasts. Each program will re-air the same night after the first broadcast, according to network officials.

The U.S. version of The X Factor ran from 2011 to 2013 on the Fox broadcast network.

Cowell is expected to return to the series as a judge for the first time in three years. He will be joined by former Spice Girl Mel B, UK pop singer Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and music manager Louis Walsh.

The X Factor UK is a perfect addition to the AXS TV lineup, as we continue to showcase the best music programming on television,” said AXS TV founder Mark Cuban in a statement. “The level of talent that the series has produced is unprecedented, and to have Simon Cowell back as a judge – I’m confident that our audience will embrace these new stars wholeheartedly. I’m proud that AXS TV has the opportunity to be at the forefront of this popular music franchise to showcase talented vocalists.”

AXS TV will also feature Cowell in an interview with Dan Rather as part of an Aug. 25 episode of the network's The Big Interview series.  

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.