Just as the Major League Baseball playoff schedule disrupted "The X Factor" earlier this season, its unexpectedly fast conclusion on Sunday has once again affected the singing competition — but this time, in a more positive fashion.
According to the show's Facebook page, the early finish of the World Series — with the San Francisco Giants sweeping the Detroit Tigers in four games — has led Fox executives to move up the start of the highly anticipated live shows from Thursday to Wednesday, with "X Factor" set to resume its previously scheduled Wednesday/Thursday two-day airing pattern.
In addition to the start of the live performances, Wednesday's show will also feature the debut of new hosts Khloé Kardashian and Mario Lopez. Kardashian and Lopez will take the stage to introduce the top 16 acts, divided into four categories — Teens, Over 25's, Groups and Young Adults — who will perform for Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid. Thursday's show will feature the announcement of the still-to-be-determined number of top finalists, whittled from the top 16, who will return the following week to face America's vote.
Fox will air a repeat of the end of the Judges' Homes round and the Top 16 announcement Monday night (October 29) at 8 p.m. Later in the evening, look out for Cowell and Spears to tout their groups via an appearance on "The Tonight Show."