X Factor: Audience numbers drop after killer controversy

X Factor NZ's ratings have plummeted following a week of controversy.

They say there's no such thing as bad publicity but X Factor NZ suffered its lowest ratings to date last night, following a week of controversy.

253,000 Kiwis tuned in to watch last night's episode of the singing competition, which featured a formal apology from TV3 ahead of the episode, after the previous week's episode featured convicted killer Shae Brider.

That marks a drop of more than 100,000 viewers from Tuesday night's show, which was the highest rating episode of the series so far.

It also marks the first time TV One's Our First Home has beaten X Factor NZ in the ratings war since the series first went head-to-head.

Last night, 331,000 viewers tuned in to the renovation series, up from 261,000 the previous week.

The news will have Mediaworks executives concerned as sponsors continue to evaluate their position and association with X Factor NZ.

Convicted killer Shae Brider caused a storm of controversy after he appeared on X Factor NZ last week. Photo / Nathan Crombie

The Herald understands several key sponsors considered withdrawing funding of the show, following Brider's appearance.

McDonalds, Streets Fruttare, 2degrees, VO5 and SkyCity all sponsor the singing competition.

Host Dominic Bowden read a formal apology ahead of last night's episode, apologising "unreservedly" for any offence caused.

"We acknowledge that Shae's interview on the show was only one side of the story and did not allow for the victim's family to tell their side and for that we at TV3 unreservedly apologise for any hurt or distress that this has caused the family," Bowden said.

"It was never our intention to cause offence and for that we are truly sorry."

But some were left unimpressed by the apology, taking to Twitter to express their views.

Cool Ayed ?wrote: "Apology should come from the boss. Not a host."

THAT was X-Factor's apology for presenting a convicted killer contestant as the Innocent victim? Iwon't be watching ever again. #xfactornz

— (((Carvin Knowles))) (@CarvinKnowles) March 1, 2015

While Carvin Knowles wrote: "THAT was X-Factor's apology for presenting a convicted killer contestant as the Innocent victim? I won't be watching ever again. #xfactornz"

- nzherald.co.nz