It is evident that reality television programmes such as The X Factor has influenced the music industry at this current time. This has been proven with the popularity of these programmes and the individuals who have become sucessful from them, such as Alexandra Burke from The X Factor 2008. In addition to this, it was proven that the viewing public were encouraged to watch these programmes, vote and in the end buy the winning single and buy tickets for the tours which were held accross the UK. This was identified as commodity fetishism as it was found that an individal did not really need to buy the winners single or the tickets for the tour but they were made to think that they "HAD" to purchace these items becasue they really needed them. Where in actual fact they did not.

The working class, or the mass culture, as Adorno would call them, have been manipulated into thinking that they have to buy the winners single and that they have to go to number one in the “UK top 40 singles chart”. In addition to this, the mass cultures are also manipulated into believing they have to buy tickets for the tour. This would be a good example of the working class having commodity fetishism and false needs. The mass culture have been forced into thinking that they need to by the winners single and tickets, which would be the fetish that Adorno identified and the false needs which he also acknowledged. This is because the producers of the programme, those being the elite have manipulated the working class. However, they are unaware of this and therefore are being exploited by the ruling class. Therefore, “we are said to worship the price we pay for the ticket for the concert, rather than the performance itself, because we are victims of commodity fetishism.” (Strinati 1995 Page 58)

All this publicity relating to The X factor was therefore making the producers “happy” as more of the viewing public were to be watching the programme, its popularity would obviously becoming more popular and so, when it came to nearing the final a lot of the public were watching the programme, talking about it and voting for their favourite. This would be a good example of commodity fetishism as the producers have made the viewing public think the “HAVE” to vote for their favourite and they “HAVE” to buy tickets for the Live Tour as well as buying the winning single. Whereas, it really is not a necessity and the world will indeed run if we don’t really have the latest single by the winning contestant!

Throughout this past series of The X Factor there was not a week that went by without the programme or its contestants being on the front of the popular tabloid newspapers. Examples of these are artists who were to be guests on the following shows, romantic connections including that of Diana and Eoghan, Diana being the favourite contestant throughout the shows, Laura having a relationship with one of the producers and so could affect her place within the competition. these all gave alot of publicity towards the programme and so more of the viewing public were to be watching it every Saturday night as "everyone" would be talking about it.

On the 19th March 2009, Leon Jackson, the winner of The X Factor 2007 has been dropped by Sony; his record label after one album was not a success. However, Rhydian, the runner up of the X Factor 2007, has back him after Leon has been axed. Rhydian has proved that although you do not win the programme you can become a successful artist.

Ray Quinn Has also proved that being a runner up has helped him become very successful. He was runner up to Leona Lewis on The X factor 2006 and since then he has become a star one the West End and very recently won another reality television programme, “Dancing on Ice” which he proved to be very successful in!

Throughout this past series there was not a week that went by without The X factor or its contestants being on the front of the popular tabloid newspapers. Examples of these are artist who were to be guests on the following shows, romantic connections including that of Diana and Eoghan. Diana being the favourite contestant throughout the shows. Laura having a relationship with one of the producers and so could affect her place within the competition.