'X Factor' 2013 USA Season 3 Premiere Ratings Are Lowest Numbers to Date [VIDEO]
The X Factor premiered Wednesday to the lowest ratings the show has ever experienced.
Season 3's first episode garnered 6.2 million viewers, a disappointing number compared to the 12 million who tuned into the season 1 premiere in 2011 and the over 8 million who watched the first episode of season 2.
Simon Cowell Can't Get Enough Of His White Shirt Photos
The Fox show on Wednesday introduced new judges Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio, who joined returning ones, Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato. Cowell previously promised fans that season 3 will be more entertaining and will include a new setup.
"I felt that what we were doing was similar to what other people were doing, and I had this impatience to get on to season 3 to do what I wanted to do," he said during July's Television Critics Association panel in August.
The new season will also not include the usual $5 million prize.
"We got to a point where it was almost too much," he also said. "We want artists to be artists. The prize is now $1 million, and they still get a Sony recording contract."
Simon Cowell's New Attitude During Season 3
Season 3 has showcased some exceptional talent thus far. After Lillie McCloud, 54, sang CeCe Winans Alabaster Box, all four judges gave her a standing ovation after a performance. The performance also made Rowland and Lovato cry, and the latter compared McCloud to the late Whitney Houston.
"Every single part of this room you touched with your voice," Rowland told the contestant. "You blessed us all, thank you."
Another memorable moment occurred when a couple named Alex and Sierra entered the stage. The boyfriend and girlfriend blew the judges away with their slow rendition of Britney Spears' Toxic.
