Fox Renews 'X Factor' for Third Season

Reality series averaging over 10 million viewers in sophomore run

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/22/2012 1:39:58 PM

Fox has picked up a third season of its reality competition series The X Factor, the network said Monday.

"This season, Simon and the producers of The X Factor took an already strong show and made it absolutely fantastic. The format changes are working, the contestants are unbelievably talented, and Britney and Demi -- alongside Simon and L.A -- have brought an incredibly fun new chemistry to the judges' panel that our fans really love," said Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment at Fox.

Season to date, X Factor is averaging a 3.9 rating with adults 18-49 and 10.6 million total viewers. That's down from this point last season, when Factor was averaging a 4.1 rating and 13 million viewers, as the Fox series has been faced with increased competition from NBC's The Voice this fall.

On Nov. 1, X Factor will begin its live shows with new hosts Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez with a special two-and-a-half-hour episode.