Come September 7, fans of Strictly Come Dancing AND the X Factor are going to have to make a decision over which show they want to watch, following the news that both shows will air on their respective channels at 8pm. And it's a decision that Simon Cowell believes will "p*** off" the fans.
Whilst next Sunday will mark the fourth episode in the new series of the X Factor, it will be the premiere for the new series of Strictly and will show all the celebrities in their finery as they find out who their professional dancers will be.
Asked about his feelings over the BBC's decision to broadcast Strictly at the same time as the X Factor, Simon said at the X Factor press launch this week: "It happens. I always think that when people do that, the people they are p***ing off are the viewers and they say this isn't a ratings battle, it is. That's why they did it. They didn't have to put it on at the same time as us. They did and that means that people have to make a choice where before, I think it was more of a gentleman's type of agreement. But it just shows - as far as I'm concerned and this is personally speaking - the producers of the show for what they are. They don't want this show to do well. They don't want people to watch it and our job is to the best job we can so that people prefer the X Factor to them."
The media mogul also shared his thoughts about the clash with Strictly on the red carpet, when he told EntertainmentWise: "I always say it annoys me because I think it's not what the viewers want". But despite his annoyance, Simon revealed that he won't be concerned with the ratings.
Simon isn't happy over the clash with Strictly (WENN)
Meanwhile, the reasons for the BBC's decision to air Strictly at the same time as the X Factor next week has been revealed. With Saturday's prime time slot taken by the beeb's other celebrity talent show, Tumble, Strictly needed to be slotted into next week's schedule in order for it to be in place to finish by just before Christmas. Another reason is believed to be because the BBC didn't want to go up against Coronation Street, which is scheduled to air two episodes next Sunday.
According to the Radio Times, a spokesperson for the BBC said of the clash: "We always try to avoid direct clashes but it's important that Strictly launches in primetime and with the extra episode of Coronation Street coming in, it's unfortunately left us with very little room to move on this occasion."
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