The X Factor

Name: The X Factor
Genre: Documentary

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Simon Cowell's format after Pop Idol, opening on a spotlight sweep and a fanfare rebuilt every few series.

The X Factor opens with a main title sequence of 24 seconds.

At 24 seconds, it opens well under the 37-second median for documentary sequences in this catalogue.

It arrived on ITV in 2004, when Thomas & Friends, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends and Birds of a Feather were also on the network.

The opening titles

24s

Fan upload of the first series' titles, from 2004.

2005–ABCDocumentary

The American Strictly, which runs two seasons a year and rebuilds its titles for most of them.

2000–CBSDocumentary

The competition format that rebuilt American primetime, and rebuilds its titles for every location.

2005–FoxDocumentary

Flames, a skull made of a chef's hat, and Gordon Ramsay shouting — the titles tell you exactly what the hour is.

2009–Logo / VH1 / MTVDocumentary

Eighteen seconds that get remade every season — new logo treatment, new track, new set of queens.

2002–Fox / ABCDocumentary

The talent format that ran American primetime for a decade, opening on a spotlight and a logo that spins.

2002–BBC TwoDocumentary

Twenty-one seconds of engine noise and a rock riff — a motoring programme that opens like a trailer for itself.