Strictly or X Factor which is better?

It’s the burning question set to be answered in the coming weeks which of the two rival camps will come out on top?

No, not the Scottish independence referendum, but whether Strictly Come Dancing or The X Factor will win the Saturday night ratings battle.

The BBC’s Strictly has waltzed all over its ITV rival for the past few years. But can the Brucie-less dance show see off a re-invigorated X Factor that has Simon and Cheryl back?

With The X Factor returning next Saturday, Bill Gibb runs an expert eye over the biggest shows on telly.

THE BRAND

STRICTLY: It’s the BBC’s most expensive show but is a global moneyspinner. The international version, Dancing With The Stars, has now been licensed to 50 different countries. Slovenia was the country signing up as the 50th. Productions vary in Georgia lack of studio space means it’s filmed in a circus tent. Every week of the year a series is under way somewhere in the world. Even US President Barack Obama avoids key broadcasts that might clash. 9

X FACTOR: Like Strictly the format is a worldwide hit with 45 countries having their own homegrown versions. The US series, with Cowell onboard after quitting the hugely successful American Idol, launched to great fanfare in 2011. Controversies included Cheryl’s hasty axing and by the time the third and last series aired last December the ratings were just six million, half of the first series in 2011. 8

THE PANEL

STRICTLY: If it ain’t broke is the Beeb’s approach. Darcey Bussell will be nice, Len Goodman occasionally crotchety, Bruno Tonioli madly OTT and Craig Revel Horwood the panto villain oh yes he will. You know exactly what you’ll get and it is fun. 8

X FACTOR Simon Cowell obviously reckoned it was broke and he’s brought himself back to fix it. He’s joined by newlywed Cheryl Fernandez-Versini thankfully still just Cheryl to all as well as ex-Spice Girl Mel B and, somehow, still Louis Walsh. A definite upping of their game. 8

THE PRESENTERS

STRICTLY: The biggest, and riskiest, change of 2014. After 11 series Bruce Forsyth decided he didn’t need the flak and stress and results show co-host Claudia Winkleman steps in. It’s the first all-female prime-time presenting duo and she’ll gel with Tess Daly and handle autocue better but even dancer Pasha Kovalev admits many viewers would have preferred Anton Du Beke. 8

X FACTOR: It’s a show where the judges are all and it’s really just a case of keeping things moving slickly, urging phone votes and looking pleased/sad at the triumphs and exits. Dermot O’Leary handles it all with aplomb. One change is on spin-off Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack axed in favour of perky newcomer Sarah-Jane Crawford. Flack is now tipped to be signing for Strictly. 8

THE REGULARS

STRICTLY: Freshening up or a cull? Old favourite dancers like James Jordan, Artem Chigvintsev and Robin Windsor (bad back) are out and it remains to be seen whether the replacements win over viewers. Ola Jordan thinks a lack of James could tip the balance to The X Factor but she is his missus. Kevin was a real favourite and his sister joins this year. 8

X FACTOR: The mentors who’ll be helping out at judges’ houses will include Jason Derulo joining Mel B in Mexico, Aussie singer Sia with Cheryl in the south of France, former judge Tulisa with Louis Walsh in Bermuda and Paula Abdul and of course Sinatta with Cowell in Las Vegas. Guest acts are always key for The X Factor. The Beeb are reportedly trying to poach Nicole Scherzinger when her new album comes out in the autumn. 7

THE TALENT

STRICTLY: Controversy reigned when Beeb sources indicated “old duffers” with no chance of winning were out this year. Sprightly Judy Murray, a diehard fan who has embarrassed Andy with her views on the hunks on show, is anything but and she’s joined by Scots rugby star Thom Evans, Alison Hammond, Blue’s Simon Webbe and Mark Wright of The Only Way is Essex. The Saturdays’ Frankie Bridge could already be eyeing the final. Trust the producers to tempt more big names. 9

X FACTOR: No shortage of familiar contestant faces making a return having tried on previous series and even having made an impact on Cowell’s other show Britain’s Got Talent. Hopefuls are already down to the final 24 after bootcamp and word is that Cheryl (girls) and Mel B (boys) are especially happy. 8

THE MONEY

STRICTLY: It’s reckoned that Sir Bruce Forsyth was on £500,000-a-year but Claudia will get a fraction of that insiders reckon, with Tess at roughly £125,000. Head judge Len Goodman is the highest paid on the panel at a reputed £150,000 with Bruno, Craig and Darcey all about £100,000. The dancers have complained about their earnings, which sits at just over £30,000, but the Strictly association earns them big bucks for tours, lessons and personal appearances. 7

X FACTOR: Now, this is where the big money really is. The judges’ bill was £6 million last year and it won’t have gotten any cheaper. It’s thought Cheryl will pocket £1.5 million for the series, Mel B is on £1 million, Louis on a little less and Simon unsurprisingly pocketing the biggest fee to add to his £300 million fortune. 9

THE RATINGS

STRICTLY: The BBC have tangoed their rival over the past couple of years. But while 11.5 million tuned in to witness WAG Abbey Clancy’s seemingly genuinely shocked reaction on winning last year, that was a million-and-a-half down over the past three years. Both shows know this really is a make-or-break year. 8

X FACTOR: An average of 9.6 million tuned in to watch Sam Bailey win last year’s final. While it’s still the sort of audience every TV boss dreams of, it was the lowest figure since Shayne Ward triumphed way back in 2005 and just half the numbers it used to draw. 7

THE FUTURE

STRICTLY: Former Beeb Director of Communications Ed Williams caused a stir after suggesting shows like Strictly could be nearing the end “of their natural lives”. He was hinting five years ahead and with Tumble showing how difficult it is to get a Saturday night hit it has a few more series. 8

Total: 65

X FACTOR: With his winning track record, Cowell knows what it takes to stay on top. Frankly The X Factor hasn’t been that for the past couple of years but he’s already signed a deal with ITV for another two years after this. Like the BBC, ITV knows the value of Saturday success and the plug isn’t being pulled. 8

Total: 63