The X Factor’s spin-off, The Xtra Factor, had been in decline for years before it was axed, host Matt Edmondson has said.
The show will not return later this year when the main singing competition comes back and will instead be replaced by a digital spin-off.
The most recent series was hosted by Matt and Rylan Clark-Neal after they replaced Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom, while DJ Roman Kemp presented the show’s online content.
A little note about the Xtra Factor news… pic.twitter.com/zXuaSKdOGR
— Matt Edmondson (@MattEdmondson) January 18, 2017
The show launched alongside the singing competition in 2004 and has previously been hosted by Holly Willoughby, Fearne Cotton and Caroline Flack.
ITV said the decision was not related to Rylan and Matt’s performance but marks a move towards broadcasting extra content and clips online.
RYLAN CLARK-NEAL #XtraFactor 🙅🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/kcgbrGMFNU
— Rylan Clark-Neal (@Rylan) January 18, 2017
Richard Holloway, managing director at Thames TV, which makes The X Factor, said: “In the past year there has been an increase in digital engagement and online audiences around The X Factor.
“In light of this, ITV’s strategy to focus their efforts on digital means The Xtra Factor on linear television has come to its natural end.”