
The first episode of the X Factor 2026 Live shows record audiences and almost 4.7 million votes. Alice Fregoso eliminated, Teo Bok recovered.
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The X Factor 2026 Live Shows have begun with judges Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia, Paola Iezzi and hosted by Giorgia.
The spectacular journey of the X Factor 2026 Live Shows began with record results both in terms of ratings and the number of votes cast in the evening. A surprising opening - on the remix of "Berghain" by ROSALÍA, Björk & Yves Tumor - welcomed the judges Francesco Gabbani, Irama, Jake La Furia and Paola Iezzi and the presenter Giorgia on stage.
Super guest on the stage of the X Factor Arena Marco Mengoni, protagonist of two moments: a medley at the beginning of the evening and the presentation of his latest single "Giornate perse". At the center of the evening, the first chapter of the competition: the 12 protagonist competitors divided into two very intense heats which at the end of the evening led to the elimination of Alice Fregoso, from Gabbani's team; but his team returns with 3 members after welcoming back Teo Bok, winner of the flash televoting between Giorgia's two Škoda X Passes against his challenger Timothée Bonnardel.
For the debut of the Sky Original show produced by Fremantle, as mentioned, record ratings with a new seasonal record also considering the episodes of the selections: Overall Total Audience of 918 thousand viewers, with a 4.4% share for the first time on Sky Uno, which corresponds to an increase of +11% in comparison with the kick off a year ago.
Record also for the last episode of the selections in the seven days (overall between free and pay): Overall Total Audience of 3,040,000 spectators, up by +4% compared to the previous episode and +16% compared to the same episode last season, numbers which are the highest of the season.
With this result, the selections close with an average over the seven days, between pay and free, of 2,932,000 spectators as an overall Total Audience, +14% compared to last year.
Sensational results also on the voting front: overall the evening totaled almost 4.7 million votes, +109% compared to the debut in 2025 as well as the "most voted debut" of the last seven editions; the initial ballot between Giorgia's two Škoda

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In the first Live Show of X Factor 2026, hosted by Giorgia with the judges Paola Iezzi, Jake La Furia, Irama and Francesco Gabbani, Alice Fregoso was eliminated in the ballot. Teo Bok was brought back with the Škoda X Pass to Gabbani's team.

At the X Factor Arena Giorgia hosted the first Live Show of X Factor 2026. After two rounds of covers, Veronica and Alice Fregoso went to the ballot and the judges eliminated Alice Fregoso. Teo Bok returns to the race with Francesco Gabbani.

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