The X Factor returns to MBC

MBC’s launch of The X Factor this weekend breathes new life into a troubled franchise.

Elissa will return as a judge on this season's X Factor. Satish Kumar / The National

It's the show that refuses to die. The X Factor returns for its third incarnation this weekend, this time under the broadcasting muscle of regional heavyweights MBC. The launch ceremony will be held in Dubai tonight, March 11, and will feature a special performance by the British girl band Little Mix, who won season eight of the British version of The X Factor in 2011.

The programme’s new edition will begin with weekly episodes starting on Saturday, before moving on to live broadcasts once the elimination rounds begin. The judging panel is a mix of old and new faces: Elissa is the only member from the previous version to return. She is joined by Lebanese crooner and former Arab Idol judge Ragheb Alama and the young Egyptian actress Donia Ghanem – the daughter of the legendary actor Samir Ghanem.

The reality show debuted in 2006 as The X Factor Arabia with Saudi-owned broadcaster Rotana. However, after being mauled in the ratings by competitor Star Academy on LBC, the programme was scrapped after its second season in 2007.

It was picked up again in 2013, this time by the Egyptian channel CBC, with an all-star panel including the UAE’s Hussain Al Jasmi, Arab Idol’s present judge Wael Kfoury and the two Lebanese singers Elissa and Carole Samaha.

Viewed as a direct challenger to MBC’s Arab Idol, the rebooted programme never stood a chance against the show, which produced the Palestinian singing talent Mohammed Assaf.

CBC immediately discontinued The X Factor Arabia after one season, leaving it to be picked up by MBC. This time, however, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the troubled franchise’s future under the new regime.

With MBC on top form churning out highly produced talent quests that include Arab Idol, Arabs Got Talent and The Voice Arabia, and a long list of celebrities eager to join its programmes, The X Factor has more than a fighting chance this time around.

• The X Factor starts on Saturday night on MBC4 and MBC Masr at 10pm. Visit www.mbc.net