Internet luring away youth audiences from X Factor

Article Link: Internet the cause of plummeting X Factor ratings
Article Headline:

The X Factor's slow death at the hands of the internet

Dermot O'Leary congratulating X Factor 2014 winner Ben Haenow,
alongside runner up Fleur and mentor Simon Cowell.

This article refers to how the '10 year low' in X Factor ratings may be due to the internet luring away the youth audience. 

This years X Factor final had a rating of 9.1 million viewers, early half of the viewer-ship for 2010's final, which has 17.2 million tuning in. 

The reality programme was competing with BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Strictly Come Dancing, which lured 9.6 million viewers. Even still, there must be something causing 8 million viewers to switch over. Or, in fact, switch off altogether? 

What the article tells us:

• X Factor is 'suffering from a general trend for young audiences to be lured away from conventional media by the web', especially amongst under 25's. 
• 'Laptops, tablets, smartphones and social networks are having “a drain on the main linear audiences”, but acknowledged that “the main linear audiences are still huge for these shows'. So, other technology items are drawing attention of young people away from the TV, although dedicated viewers still tune in. Even though figures are dropping, interest is still huge, especially for The X Factor. 
• 'Simon Cowell has pledged to change the show’s format next year, after his return to the judging panel failed to turn around the decline in ratings.' This suggests even Mr S.C himself has noted that things need to change to keep tight reign over viewers.
• Ofcom, also reported that, 'Less than half now think that the TV is their most important source for relaxing or entertainment.' This indicates changing leisure habits in terms of technology, TV's are out and smartphones and tablets are in. 

What I think:

I agree that the internet is luring away viewers of the X Factor and others shows like it. The internet is not only a huge distraction, but an unlimited form of communication and entertainment. People tend to spend more time talking about the shows instead of watching them. Announcing our opinions on Twitter, Facebook etc, has become all about the 'viewing experience'. People want to express their views, find those who share the same ones as them, and debate with those who don't. So, maybe people are watching these shows still, but they feel the need to be active whilst doing so.

Alternatively, maybe some are quitting with these shows altogether, especially with shows like the X Factor. People are fed up with ironic miming celebrity guests, speculations of a 'fixed' winner, sob-stories, unnecessary awful singers, a show that ignores talent and focuses on the judges and other controversies. It's time for a change. The internet welcomes young audiences as a result. It can offer a communicative, sharing, interactive, learning, relaxing and watching experience all-in-one. The TV seems outdated to many young people. Even if they do still want to follow reality shows there's always IPlayer, or YouTube where they can watch all the performance instead of unnecessary build up and judges reactions. This is especially true of all time conscious society. 

Overall, I think people have just outgrown shows like X Factor. It's run its course and those who have grown up watching it in their living room with the family want something different. After all, there are an unlimited number of other reality shows to choose from with vote offs, on screen bitchiness, off screen bitchiness and much more. So even if it is the end of the X Factor thanks to the internet, maybe that's not such a bad thing.