X-Factor and the x-factor Cheryl Cole publicity machine

That's show business!

Some companies couldn't care whether they get good publicity or bad publicity, as they reckon all publicity is good. Ryanair seems to fall into this category. Michael O'Leary, the chief of the airline, loves to banter about publicity. He's like a duck bobbing in the Irish Sea. Then there are are those who love to manufacture publicity. Simon Cowell's organisation is one of them, I think. Not that Cowell would get involved in it all. That's left to others.

The Cheryl Cole business of her being a judge on the American X-Factor is not as bewildering as it may first appear. This is all about control of assets. Judging from recent comments in the press, the viewing figures for the X-Factor have tumbled. But the interest in X-Factor participants, as opposed to contestants, is rising fast. Cheryl Cole is a media figure. Newspapers and magazines make money out of her and no doubt she gets a bit too. But this does not directly help Simon Cowell.

So what better than to stir up a media controversy about the judging panel, thereby attempting to keep the show in the headlines. Trouble is people's egos get hurt. Cheryl Cole is peeved beyond measure that her Geordie accent has been mocked, her very presence in America called into question. She's fallen out with Simon. But he probably never thought of the ruse. It's more likely the minions seeking his approval.

This sort of business needs a bandwagon, but as is so often the case, the wretched wagon is a wheel short, with the wrong nags pulling it, with the passengers at odds with each other as to what to do for the best. Maybe X-Factor has got some other factor?

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Simon Cowell strictly against a ratings war

Simon Cowell has come out to say that he does not think that the BBC is doing a good thing by placing Strictly Come Dancing up against his X Factor show. This is not about sour grapes, it is just that Simon thinks that licence fee payers could enjoy both shows. He's a fan of Strictly so he's not grinding an axe here. Sounds all very plausible.

However, I sense he's got a bit of an ITV feather protruding from his impresario's hat. He is asking ITV to shift X Factor. Now there was a time when ITV, in the form of Granada, LWT or Thames Television, would relish the thought of humbling the BBC in a ratings war. Not anymore. Now we live in a recession, where TV advertisers are keen to see guaranteed audiences. With so much other than terrestrial television for people to watch, ITV is getting currant buns instead of a slice of the cake. It stands to reason advertisers want to keep ITV programmes in front of as many of the dwindling number of viewers as they can.

The BBC is not phased, though. They blame Merlin for the timing of Strictly. Simon Cowell and ITV may need their own wizard to conjure up a few tricks if they are to combat BBC spin!

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