Simon Cowell’s got another headache after the first episode of X Factor USA is down 3.5m viewers on last year.

It went up against America’s Got Talent and The Voice, with both shows getting bigger audiences.

Despite having two new world-famous judges on the panel Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, the premiere only averaged with 8.5m viewers, in comparison to it’s main rival The Voice who had 10.5m.

The Voice was a last minute addition to the schedules, with Cowell calling the move ‘mean spirited’.

It remains to be seen how The X Factor USA ratings  did in its second episode, which aired last night.

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