Simon Cowell regrets lofty "X Factor" ratings projection
(CBS) It's hard to believe that harsh critic Simon Cowell would ever be sorry -- let alone be humbled -- by something he said.
But the former "American Idol" judge and "X Factor" creator, executive producer, and judge admitted that he might have bit off more than he could chew and could have been clearer when he told "The Hollywood Reporter" that anything less than 20 million viewers for the show's debut episode would be a disappointment.
"That was a slight misunderstanding. I wasn't saying I want 20 million for the first episode. I said we wanna hit 20 million," Simon told Access Hollywood.
"Of course that went out there and I thought, 'I have really opened my big mouth here because anything now under 20 is a disaster,'" he added. "As much as people want you to succeed, there's a ton of people that want you to fail and I took a bit in the neck that first day."
While "X Factor" has been successful, it's hardly the ratings juggernaut that Cowell hoped for. The first episode hooked 12.5 million viewers. It was far behind the same day season premiere of "Modern Family," which brought in 14.5 million viewers, and was only half of what "American Idol" did on its tenth season opener.
"Factor's" second episode only saw a five percent dip in household ratings and brought back the same amount of viewers, but it isn't exactly a fast growing product. The last audition episode brought in 12 million viewers.
In comparison, NBC summer hit "The Voice" averaged about 12.6 million viewers around the last audition episode.
"I do believe -- in time, because I believe in the show -- we're gonna hit those numbers," Cowell continued.
"You've gotta remember -- this is a new show."
"X Factor" airs on FOX at 8 P.M. ET/PT.