Verizon Wireless Is the Official Wireless Partner of "THE X FACTOR™"

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Sept. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon said today that it is the official wireless partner of THE X FACTOR™, which premiered last night and continues tonight from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX, and it has joined forces with THE X FACTOR as the presenting sponsor of The Xtra Factor App for smartphones and other mobile devices including tablets.  The free App, available now, will give customers unprecedented access to this fall's most-anticipated new TV show with exclusive content and features available only to Verizon Wireless customers.  Verizon Wireless customers will also have the chance to vote for contestants from within the smartphone App during the voting window directly following the live performance shows of THE X FACTOR later this fall.  

The Xtra Factor App presented by Verizon immerses customers in THE X FACTOR experience on their smartphones and other mobile devices with exclusive, live, behind-the-scenes streaming video during the performance shows.  Customers can experience the pre-performance backstage frenzy and post-performance emotional reactions of the contestants on their phones while at the same time watching the live shows on television.  Verizon Wireless customers will also be able to click on the image of their favorite contestant to vote using the App.

"Verizon's mobile technology lets customers watch TV in entirely new ways," said John Harrobin, vice president, marketing at Verizon Wireless.  "The Xtra Factor App will be a companion screen to the TV broadcast and give our customers a front row seat to the hottest show of the fall."

"I think it's fantastic that Verizon is giving everyone a chance to watch what's going on backstage on The Xtra Factor App and to stay connected with the show and each other," said Simon Cowell.  "I’m looking forward to reading everyone's comments!"

"We are very excited to be partnering with Verizon Wireless on THE X FACTOR," said Jean Rossi, president of FOX One and executive vice president of sales for FOX.  "The collaborative nature of Verizon Wireless will give us the opportunity to unleash innovative entertainment beyond an organic integration, and their technological expertise will elevate THE X FACTOR consumer experience across multiple screens."

The Xtra Factor App will be available in the Android Market™ and iTunes® Store with basic features, including video-on-demand and tweeting from within the App to wireless customers with a compatible device.  In addition to video content, all fans with the App will be able to participate as the Verizon Fifth Judge during the live performance shows, rating contestants based on various criteria, then posting their individual rating to their Facebook® news feed.  Verizon will also have a presence at TheXFactorUSA.com with features including a virtual set tour and video-on-demand.

All Verizon smartphones require a data package.  Message and data charges apply to the download and use of The Xtra Factor App.

Hosted by Steve Jones, THE X FACTOR continues its highly anticipated debut with the second night of a two-night series premiere tonight from 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX.  Be there as THE X FACTOR judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger begin their search for undiscovered talent 12 years old and over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music and a featured role in an iconic Pepsi Super Bowl spot.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America.  Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television.  Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.  Visit TheXFactorUSA.com for up-to-the-minute news, videos and information.  Become a fan of THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA, and follow the series on Twitter™ @TheXFactorUSA.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers.  Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About "The X Factor"

Since its debut in 2004, "The X Factor" has remained the U.K.'s #1 program for the last seven years, peaking with an audience of 21 million with 65% audience share for its 2010 finale. The format swiftly broke similar records around the world, where local versions have consistently rated #1 in 15 territories, with a worldwide audience now well over 100 million. In Denmark, it has ranked #1 for the last four years, peaking with an 80% share of the audience. In Colombia, it has consistently ranked #1 with a 75% share of the audience. Additionally, "The X Factor" consistently delivers a 50% to 65% share of the viewing audiences in Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, France and Italy – with the highest percentage of these shares in A15-34. In some markets, "The X Factor" has increased the channel average demographic by up to 250%. The series has received numerous honors worldwide, including three BAFTA awards, numerous NTA awards and the coveted Rose d'Or. In the U.K., an unprecedented 1.5 million iTunes downloads were made from "The X Factor" contestant performances in 2010. Globally, more than 100 million records have been sold by artists launched through the series, including over 90 #1 singles and albums and 150 Top Ten records.

About Syco/Simon Cowell

Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment. Syco Television owns and produces the BAFTA Award-winning "The X Factor," which has topped the charts around the world. Syco Television is also the owner of the "Got Talent" television format. Versions of both "The X Factor" and "Got Talent" are co-produced by Syco, and are shown in more than 70 countries and have won multiple awards including national television awards and BAFTAs. THE X FACTOR launches in America on FOX in Fall 2011 with Cowell as a judge. Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis and Il Divo. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 200 million albums and delivering more than 180 No. 1 records. "Britain's Got Talent" in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world's biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history with a total of 20 million records to date. In 2009, Cowell was named No. 1 in Hollywood Reporter's Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV and Entertainment Weekly's Top Entertainer of the Year. In 2010, Cowell was awarded Variety International's Humanitarian Award for his extensive charitable work, The Rose d'Or Golden Jubilee Award and BAFTA's Special Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry and development of new talent. He also appeared on Time Magazine's list of Most Influential People in the World and was awarded the International Emmy Founders Award.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Hole In The Wall” (Cartoon Network), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syn), “The Price Is Right” (CBS) and THE X FACTOR.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless