New dimension for X Factor SA fans

This groundbreaking initiative is the first of its kind in South Africa, with recordings of the songs performed during the live gala shows made available for distribution through iTunes during the broadcast.

SABC TV head of publicity, Zandile Nkonyeni, says, “We believe in supporting talented artists and cultivating South African musicians.”

After auditioning thousands of hopefuls around the country and narrowing down the field to the nine top solo singers and groups, The X Factor SA, broadcast on SABC1 on Saturdays at 5.30pm, has now reached the business end of the competition.

Audiences will begin casting their votes for their favourite acts, who will hear their fate during the live results shows on Saturdays at 7.30pm on SABC1. This nerve-wracking process of elimination will culminate in the crowning of the first winner on Saturday, December 13.

“iTunes and The X Factor have worked closely together in other international markets in the past and we are excited about extending the same benefit to South Africans,” said Paul Thackwray, marketing director of Sony Music Entertainment Africa, which is sponsoring a recording contract for the winner.

Between now and December the finalists will be performing in the region of 60 songs during the live televised shows.

Starting on Saturday, October 25, all of these tracks will be available for download on iTunes, starting from the evening on which each number is performed.

The songs will be available for the duration of the competition.