Do you love TV shows like X Factor? X-Factor is a TV show that ran for 15 seasons between 2004 to 2018 and is considered one of the most popular reality TV shows ever.
X Factor was a music competition where participants faced off against each other every week to earn a record deal.
The television music competition franchise was created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company, Syco Entertainment, and was a sensation at the time it premiered.
If you are deeply into music-related TV shows like X Factor, we have compiled some similar TV shows for you to binge-watch.
1. American Idol (2002)
- Judges: Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson.
- IMDb Rating: 4.2/10
America Idol is first on our list of TV shows like X Factor. Most of the TV shows that air singing competitions exclusively started because of the success of American Idol.
American Idol is a singing competition created by Simon Fuller with the help of Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment.
At the onset, the show was initially intended to be the Pop version of the Idols’ format.
Still, it quickly rose to become one of the most popular programs in American television history.
2. The Masked Singer (2019)
- Starring: Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Nicole Scherzinger, Robin Thicke.
- IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Next on our list of TV shows like X Factor offer is The Masked Singer.
The Masked Singer employed a different approach to the singing competition, and the setup is great for music fans.
The Masked Singer displayed inspiring and entertaining competitors and had some top celebrities on the Judges’ seats.
In the series, celebrities conceal their identities beneath elaborate costumes, giving the judges and audience minor hints each week as they attempt to figure out who is hiding behind the mask.
The show’s popularity was attributed to its seemingly an adaptation of some South Korean reality television shows.
3. The Voice (2011 – Date)
- Judges: Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira, Usher, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Nick Jonas, Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello.
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
The Voice is one of the best shows on our list of TV shows like X Factor, and it featured an astounding number of bigwigs in the music industry.
These music icons get on set every season and select a unique voice from tons of other talents that walk their stage.
The show debuted on April 26, 2011, during the spring television season and has since aired twenty-two seasons dedicated to discovering hidden singing talent through open auditions.
During the show, two competitors from the same squad go head-to-head throughout the various stages.
The four judges provide feedback on the participants’ performances and direct their different teams filled with performers they chose to work with throughout the rest of the competition.
In the blind auditions stage, coaches or judges swivel around in their seats when they hear a performance they want on their team, and the performers also get to choose the coach they want to work with.
Hence, giving room for some fantastic musical collaborations.
4. Over The Rainbow (2010)
- Judges: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charlotte Church, John Partridge, Sheila Hancock.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Over The Rainbow was a series created by Andrew Lloyd Webber as he searched for a new lead actress to play Dorothy in his theater production “The Wizard of Oz.”
From March 26 to May 22, 2010, BBC One aired the Talkback Thames-produced series, which Graham Norton hosted.
This is one of the TV shows like X Factor that promoted singing in the distinct way you’d see in a musical theatre.
Various vocalists competed against each other in unique ways. Danielle Hope was selected to play Dorothy after winning the series in a telephone vote that was open to the public.
5. America’s Got Talent (2006)
- Judges: Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff, Brandy Norwood, Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel, Howard Stern, Mel B, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, Sofía Vergara.
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
America’s Got Talent is a talent show open to performers of all ages, who come and compete for the main prize of $1 million.
Another reason they also come in is for the exposure the show brings contestants.
The competitors range from singers, dancers, magicians, and comedians to other entertainers.
It is a part of the Simon Cowell-founded Got Talent franchise that is televised on the NBC television network and produced by Fremantle USA and Syco Entertainment.
The show features two grand rounds; the season’s early rounds are decided by the judges using buzzers to determine who stays on and who goes home.
Meanwhile, later rounds feature live performances by contestants, and American viewers choose who they would like to watch in the championship rounds by casting votes.
The show is exciting and fun to watch because some of the contestants’ backstories are relatable to the audience and viewers worldwide.
6. Songland (2019)
- Starring: Ester Dean, Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Songland is an American songwriting competition platform that allows aspiring composers to present their original compositions to a committee of celebrity judges.
Contestants are chosen to collaborate with record producers to release a song, giving the audience an inside peek at how popular songs are made.
Featuring three producer-hosts at the premiere in May 2019, the show received a second season order in September 2019, which kick-started in April 2020.
Even if your life isn’t entirely centered around music, you should add this show to your list of TV shows like X Factor, and you won’t be disappointed.
7. The Eurovision Song Contest (1956)
- Presenters: Katie Boyle, Yardena Arazi, Marlene Charell, Gerry Ryan, Kattis Ahlström, Renārs Kaupers, Maria Menounos, Jaana Pelkonen, Mikko Leppilampi.
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The Eurovision Song Contest is another ideal watch if you are into music.
Each year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) hosts the Eurovision Song Contest, an international song contest with contestants predominantly from European nations.
The competition takes place with each participant submitting one original song, no longer than three minutes, to be played live by a soloist or ensemble of up to six people.
Since its inception in 1956, Eurovision has been the longest-running annual international broadcast music competition.
Also, the competition allows the host nation to advertise its cities as tourist attractions.
8. Little Mix: The Search (2020)
- Judges: Perrie Edwards, Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall.
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
“Little Mix: The Search” is quite an outstanding competition among TV shows like X Factor.
The series was an offshoot of X Factor’s musical group, “Little Mix.”
It centers on the well-known female band Little Mix members as they attempt to build a boy band in the same way that their group was created.
The series features a variety of singers auditioning for a spot in the show’s final roster.
Just so you know, the show’s appeal lies in its presenting vocalists who have had similar struggles as Little Mix, making the audience part of the industry’s process.
9. Britain’s Got Talent (2007)
- Judges: Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, David Hasselhoff, Michael McIntyre, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams.
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Like America’s Got Talent, this TV show is a perfect reality show to binge-watch if you’ve never seen it.
BGT presents a yearly opportunity for competitors of all ages to apply to be part of the televised competition, which showcases various talents, not just singing.
The judges begin the auditions by carefully choosing deserving candidates for the live round stage, which is based on authentic content.
To win votes and advance to the final round, where a cash reward is up for grabs, contestants must first win over the judges and audience during the live games.
Following this, they can also qualify for a spot in the Royal Variety Performance in front of the British Royal Family.
10. American Song Contest (2022)
- Presenters: Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.
- IMDb Rating: 4.5/10
This is an American version of the Eurovision Song Contest.
It is a contest for the Best Original Song award among participants from each of the 50 U.S. states, five territories, and Washington, DC.
It ultimately made its NBC debut on March 21, 2022, after some years in production.
The program is divided into three parts: the qualifying rounds, the semifinals, and the championship match, which is the Grand Final.
The first season opens with various musical styles, including solo artists, duos, DJs, and bands.
11. MTV Hustle (2019)
- Judges: Raftaar, Nucleya, Raja Kumari, Badshah.
- IMDb Rating: 9.3/10
MTV Hustle is the first rap/hip-hop reality program to air in India.
It provides a platform where wannabe rappers compete and stands a chance of becoming the most prominent hip-hop star in India.
The first season premiered on 10 August 2019, successfully ushering in the second season on 3 September 2022.
MTV India and Voot offer digital streaming of the program if you want to catch up on it.
12. Sing On! (2020)
- Presenter: Tituss Burgess
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
The streaming television program Sing On! debuted in 2020 and ushered in an exciting musical sing-along experience as most TV shows like X Factor would.
Netflix’s “Sing On” has been quite successful because of its use of an outstanding technical component: the vocal analyzer.
In this competition, the participants are asked to sing portions of a well-known song while standing apart from one another, with the vocal analyzer evaluating their ability to reach the correct pitch.
With this, participants advance to stardom through a carefully monitored process.
13. High School Musical: Get in the Picture (2008)
- Starring: Sammi Hanratty, Madeline Carroll, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Monique Coleman.
- IMDb Rating: 3/10
The reality television program High School Musical: Get in the Picture made its debut on July 20, 2008, on the ABC network.
The show continues the well-known Disney High School Musical series and allows the fans to stay connected to their favorite moments.
A national talent search is held to kick off the show and follows a group of participants receiving coaching to develop their abilities.
In addition to securing a record deal with Disney, the winner also got the top prize which was a music video for the original song “Just Gettin’ Started.”
This music video was meant to appear in High School Musical 3: Senior Year’s closing credits.
14. Pitch Slapped (2016)
- Judge: Dr. Frances Covalesky
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Joining our list of TV shows like X Factor is Pitch Slapped, a reality show that premiered on Lifetime on January 5, 2016.
It sums up the competition between two high school acappella groups from New Jersey.
Under the direction of some of the best instructors in the industry, the teams compete against one another in weekly events that end in championship finals.
It is a somewhat pleasurable watch because the show highlights the art of singing and provides viewers with a look into the fiercely competitive world of acappella music.
15. The Sing-Off (2009)
- Judges: Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman, Nicole Scherzinger
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
The Sing-Off, the last addition to this list, is a unique competition with top “acappella” singers from all over America fighting to win a recording contract.
Sony Pictures Television and Outlaw Productions created it, and it premiered on NBC on December 14, 2009.
Some American acappella groups, including those from Puerto Rico, were picked through an audition process that saw them to the next round of the competition based on an elimination system controlled by a panel of judges.
Several well-known musicians have made guest appearances on the program, so it wouldn’t be surprising if you bumped into your favorite.
