Longer 'X Factor' Voting Times

5 months ago 18th Jun 13:00

Simon Cowell is set to make millions by opening 'The X Factor' voting lines for an extra 24 hours.

The reality TV boss and ITV executives have moved the live results show to Sunday night, where it will go head-to-head with its BBC rival 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Viewers previously had just one hour to vote after watching the contestants perform on Saturday night. After the voting time, the results were announced immediately.

Lines will open during the show on Saturday and won't close until the results on Sunday, which means lots of extra cash.

Under the new system, fans can vote right up until the results show on the following night.

Network executives hope the extra day of voting time will encourage more people to call in, increasing profits made from the premium rate phone lines.

They also hope the extra live show will boost advertising revenue across the weekend.

An insider told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Lines will open during the show on Saturday and won't close until the results on Sunday, which means lots of extra cash."

The additional live show will reportedly cost £4 million, including an extra £100,000 for judges Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue.

The insider added: "It sounds like a lot of money in the current financial climate but 'The X Factor' is one of the jewels in ITV's crown. It is guaranteed ratings gold."