The X Factor
In Australia, the X Factor is a reality singing competition that is based on the original UK series. The show's initial season aired from February to May; however, since the second season, it has aired from July/August to the grand final in November. It was originally broadcast from February to May. This season's X Factor is produced by FremantleMedia Australia and airs on the Seven Network. The term "X Factor" refers to a vocal ability that is "special" and "something" that has the potential to be a star in the making. Because to the low ratings, Network Ten discontinued The X Factor after one season in 2005. A "bidding war" for the show's rights took place in2010, and the Seven Network emerged victorious. A second season of the show has since begun filming. It was only after the cancellation of Australian Idol that the X Factor was resurrected. TV3 carries it in New Zealand as well. It was shown on Network Ten and 7Two in 2005 and 2010 respectively. A third season was not commissioned in 2011. Mark Holden, John Reid, and Kate Ceberano sat on a panel of judges in 2005. It was reintroduced in 2010 with Ronan Keating, Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia and Kyle Sandilands replacing the original judging panel. Melanie Brown and Natalie Bassingthwaighte were brought in to replace Imbruglia and Sandilands for the third season of the show. In the fifth series, Dannii Minogue and Redfoo replaced Brown and Sebastian on the panel. This season, the judges and audience are all in the same arena for the auditions, rather than just one "audition room," as they were in the first two seasons of the X Factor. After "bootcamp" and "home visits," the judges select three acts from each category to appear in the live events, where the audience votes for their favorite act after watching the candidates perform each week.