The X Factor is an American reality television music competition show created by Simon Cowell and produced by FremantleMedia North America and SYCOtv, a partnership between Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, which aired on Fox from 2011 to 2013.
Based on the original UK show, and an addition to the The X Factor franchise, the series found new singing talent (solo artists and groups ages 12 and over), drawn from public auditions, and they competed against each other for votes. The winner was determined by the show's viewers via telephone, the Internet, and SMS text voting, and was awarded a recording contract with Cowell's record label Syco Music, worth $5 million in seasons one and two, and $1 million in season three.
One Direction performed once in the show.