Simon Cowell's X Factor loses HALF its US audience in two years
Simon Cowell's Fox talent show the X Factor opened season three in the US on Wednesday night with 6.17 million viewers, a huge drop from the 8.97 million who watched last season's opener.
Not a lot to smile about for Simon Cowell
The New York Daily News joked, "However delighted Simon Cowell feels about his forthcoming new baby, one of his old ones may be needing some extra attention."
The figure of 8.97 million was a worry last season, as the first series had opened with 12.49 million.
"That means "X Factor," which has undergone significant overhauls after each of the first two seasons as Cowell looks for the winning format and judging panel, has shed more than half its original viewers, " said the News.
Worse may be to come . The main autumn rival to "X Factor," NBC's "The Voice," starts on Sept. 23.