X Factor struggles down under, Dancing cancelled

Two of the biggest entertainment formats in the world, Dancing with the Stars and the X Factor, face an uncertain future in Australia.

Both have run on free TV broadcaster Network Seven, which cancelled BBC Worldwide-distributed series Dancing with the Stars last week. Whether it ultimately comes back on Seven, or elsewhere, remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the latest episode of X Factor, which is distributed by FremantleMedia International, delivered its worst ever ratings, leading to speculation locally over the show’s future beyond the current season.

The show garnered 676,000 viewers in the five main metropolitan areas in Australia versus the 1.2 million won by The Block on rival net Nine.

Seven said last week there will not be a new season of Dancing in 2017. Both Dancing and X Factor had been refreshed locally with new hosts, but both efforts failed to reignite their ratings.