Viewers for The X Factor grand final drop by 29% from last year

751,000 viewers in five capital cities tuned in last night to see Isaiah Firebrace from Moama NSW crowned The X Factor Australia’s 2016 winner – on his 17^th birthday.

This was the lowest Grand Final figure in the show’s seven seasons. It ranked #11^th for the night, or 4^th of all non-news and current affairs. It was 29% down on last year, when the show topped the night with 1.204 million to see Cyrus Villanueva win. 

In 2014 the figure was 1.4 million while 2013 generated its highest ever Grand Final result (for Dami Im) with 2.45 million.

Last Sunday, The X Factor moved up to 665, 000, after its lowest ever in its history the week before with 559,000 when it was trumped by The Block.

Returning in 2016 with a format and judges reboot, the first episode of The X Factor drew 904,000 – the lowest of its first-of-the-year figures.

But it seemed that viewers were not attracted to the new judging panel. It was obvious that the lower ratings were not going to be acceptable for the show’s producers, given the high format licensing fees and production costs.

Seven pulled out all stops last night, with guest appearances from Robbie Williams performing Love My Life, Charli XCX (After The After Party) and Sweden’s Tove Lo (Cool Girl).

US singer Tori Kelly kicked off the promotion for Illumination’s December 26-due 3D computer animated musical comedy movie Sing. Kelly plays Meena the teenage elephant. 

Of the final four, by 8.20 pm the 15-year-old Amalia Foy was the first to go, followed 30 minutes later by Mel B’s underdog Vlado Saric.

The two finalists Firebrace (mentored by Adam Lambert) and Queensland tyre fitter Davey Woder (Guy Sebastian’s choice) premiered their debut singles.

Firebrace opted for the ballad It’s Gotta Be You. In an The X-Factor first Woden was allowed to sing a self-penned number. He delivered his passionate ode to his wife, Coming Home, which got him noticed in the auditions in the first place, with a performance during which he went into the studio audience and sang it to her holding her hand.

Both finalists, considered by their respective mentors as “humble” and “lacking sometimes in confidence” shared similar sentiments.

"This has been my dream, and I can’t believe it came true on my birthday," Firebrace said. Woden, whom Sebastian regards as a talented songwriter, declared “I’ve been dreaming about this all my life!”

Yesterday also saw Fox8 screen live from midday the 44^th American Music Awards which were held in Los Angeles and hosted by model Gigi Hadid and Saturday Night Live comedian/actor Jay Pharaoh.