Pushbutton press red for The X Factor
Release date: September 15, 2004
Pushbutton will build a ‘red button’ interactive application to support ITV’s new talent show The X-Factor, staring celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Sharon Osbourne.
The X Factor auditions will be conducted all over the country to build a short list of 120 acts divided into three categories – ‘16-25 Solo’, ‘25+ Solo’ and Groups. Each judge will then be given one category to mentor, with viewers allowed to vote via the ‘red button’ for their favourite acts. One act from each category will compete in the final to find a winner of The X Factor – again decided by viewer votes.
Pushbutton’s interactive area for the show handles all voting, features a news and gossip from section, a competition to win a taste of Simon Cowell’s lifestyle and two betting opportunities – spin The X Factor reels, and bet on who you think will win the show.
In addition to building the main interactive application for the show, pushbutton also built a promotional interactive for the show’s main sponsor, Nokia. The Nokia area is accessed by pressing the yellow button and features information about Nokia’s latest handsets, several chances to win Nokia phones, plus news and deals from Club Nokia.
Pushbutton managing director, Paula Byrne, said “This is the biggest project we have ever been involved in and the most prestigious. It is a tribute to pushbutton’s interactive design and build capability that we have been trusted by a global brand like Nokia, and by the hottest show in ITV’s autumn schedule, The X Factor.”