Popular Series THE XTRA FACTOR Makes Its U.S. Debut On AXS TV, Following The Season 12 Premiere OF THE X FACTOR UK On Sunday, Aug. 30

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- AXS TV—cable's premier music entertainment channel—is the official U.S. broadcast home for THE XTRA FACTOR, the popular companion entertainment show of the international mega-hit THE X FACTOR UK. AXS TV has signed an agreement with FremantleMedia International (FMI) and Syco Entertainment, creators and owners of THE X FACTOR format, bringing the hour-long program to the United States for the first time ever. THE XTRA FACTOR will make its debut on Sunday, August 30, immediately following the season 12 premiere of THE X FACTOR UK at 8pE. Episodes will air every Sunday and Monday, after each of the network's THE X FACTOR UK broadcasts and will move to an earlier time mid-season.

Created and co-produced by Syco Entertainment, THE XTRA FACTOR brings the fun factor to the search to find a new music star by delivering the ultimate fan experience and giving viewers unprecedented backstage access to THE X FACTOR UK. Packed with behind-the-scenes footage, auditions and performances, the show also features exclusive interviews with the judges and contestants, as the contestants candidly react to the judges' comments. THE XTRA FACTOR also offers a special interactive component once the live studio shows start, as UK viewers are invited to call in with questions for the contestants and judges, and Facebook updates and tweets are read live on air. At the heart of all things XTRA FACTOR are two new hosts, KISS FM radio DJ Melvin Odoom and multi-platinum pop star Rochelle Humes, who will be on-hand to moderate each night's action.

"Last year's U.S. debut of THE X FACTOR UK was a major success with our viewers, and AXS TV is proud to be able to take them even deeper by finally bringing THE XTRA FACTOR to America for the first time ever," said Mark Cuban, AXS TV CEO. "With its personable hosts, and open and honest interviews, this series is the perfect addition to our lineup, providing viewers with the same in-depth front-row experience that AXS TV is known for."

This is the second consecutive year that AXS TV will air THE X FACTOR UK after bringing it stateside in 2014. The upcoming season marks the return of fan-favorite judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who will be joined at the judges' table by two new faces, international pop superstar Rita Ora and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw. Season 12 will also feature two new hosts, as chart-topping singer/songwriter and former X FACTOR contestant Olly Murs partners with TV personality Caroline Flack to take over emcee duties. THE X FACTOR UK is co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK).

ABOUT AXS TV
 AXS TV is the cable industry's leading general entertainment network for live event programming. Launched in July 2012 by visionary entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is dedicated to providing groundbreaking music programming, stand-up comedy performances from today's top comedians, and hard-hitting mixed martial arts promotions. The network's franchises include THE X FACTOR UK and NASHVILLE; as well as original programs such as THE BIG INTERVIEW with Dan Rather; THE WORLD'S GREATEST TRIBUTE BANDS; GOTHAM COMEDY LIVE; ART MANN PRESENTS; AXS TV FIGHTS; and INSIDE MMA. 

AXS TV is a partnership between Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and CBS. The network is available in the United States via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other cable, satellite and telco providers, including members of the National Cable Television Cooperative. The network is also distributed in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. For more information, visit the website, www.axs.tv; go to the Facebook page here and follow the company on Twitter, @axstv; on Instagram; Tumblr; Cyber Dust and YouTube.

ABOUT SYCO ENTERTAINMENT
Syco Entertainment is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music and is one of the world's leading global music, film and television production companies responsible for some of the world's most successful global TV and music franchises. Syco Entertainment is also the world's most successful producer of international talent with Syco Music being the UK's number 1 record label for both A&R and sales and is record label home for such diverse international recording artists as Labrinth, One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Little Mix, IL Divo, Fifth Harmony, Alex & Sierra and Ella Henderson. Syco's television assets include the global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent. Local versions of The X Factor are produced in more than 53 territories, with artists discovered by the format selling more than 200 million records worldwide, including 200 number ones and 380 top 10 records. The Got Talent format is officially the world's most successful reality TV format of all time, holding the Guinness World Records title for the "Most successful TV format of all time" having been commissioned in an impressive 66 territories worldwide. America's Got Talent also airs in 193 countries around the globe and has been the #1 US summer reality series for the past decade. Syco Film produced the 2013 #1 global box office hit " One Direction: This Is Us"  a 3D concert movie with Sony Pictures and have recently partnered with Animal Logic (The Lego Movie, Happy Feet) to produce a number of music-based live action-hybrid animated movies. 

ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the largest creators, producers and distributors of television brands in the world.  It is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, factual, kids & family and digital programming, with capabilities that extend from content creation to licensing, branded entertainment, gaming and home entertainment. The FremantleMedia Group comprises global divisions including International, Drama and Entertainment Development, Kids & Family Entertainment, and Digital & Branded Entertainment. The company has an outstanding global network with operations in 28 countries, creating over 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 45 formats and airing 350 programmes a year worldwide. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most famous and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, Wentworth, Neighbours, Generation War, Grand Designs, Project Runway, Tree Fu Tom,  Strange Hill High, Munchies (with VICE Media) and Full Time Devils.  FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 75.1 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. www.fremantlemedia.com

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