Sky TV announce major X Factor documentary series

Sky has confirmed it has commissioned a landmark premium documentary series exploring The X Factor, the era-defining entertainment juggernaut that reshaped British television and global pop culture.

First launching in 2004, The X Factor became one of the most influential formats in TV history, dominating ratings for over a decade, launching the careers of some of the world’s biggest music acts, and spawning successful international versions across dozens of territories. At its peak, the series regularly attracted audiences of more than 10 million viewers in the UK alone, becoming a Saturday-night institution and a defining force in modern celebrity culture.

The documentary will tell the inside story of The X Factor through those closest to it, both in front of and behind the camera, including Simon Cowell. Drawing on first-hand testimony and unseen perspectives, the series will chart the show’s rise, cultural impact, and lasting legacy on music, media, and fame itself.

Produced by award-winning independent production company 72 Films, the series builds on a slate of critically acclaimed factual storytelling, including the Grierson-winning The Zelensky Story and the Emmy-winning 9/11: One Day in America. The project also reinforces Sky Documentaries’ reputation for bold, unfiltered premium documentaries, following recent highlights such as Boyzone: No Matter What, Hatton, and Klitschko: More Than a Fight.

The series is a 72 Films production, commissioned for Sky Documentaries. It is directed by Tim Lawton (7/7: Homegrown Terror). Executive Producers for 72 Films are Mark Raphael and Clare Cameron, with Kate O’Hara serving as Series Showrunner. The Executive Producers for Sky are Hayley Reynolds and Bruce Fletcher.