New Zealand on Air have confirmed they will partially fund a local version of X Factor.

Thirty one-hour episodes of the televised singing competition will screen on TV3 next year, with $1.6 million in NZOA funding behind it.

"We are thrilled that variety series New Zealand's Got Talent has premiered to a huge audience this year, and we wish the same success for X Factor NZ in 2013," says NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson.  

"These programmes celebrating this country's talent are very expensive to produce and we are pleased to help get them over the line. NZ On Air is only able to fund one of these series in a single financial year, so the timing has worked out well."

The government agency also backed the 14 episodes of TVNZ's New Zealand's Got Talent to the tune of $1.6 million.

Created by music mogul Simon Cowell, X Factor is the now world's largest music show, with the winner receiving a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand.

The production will travel the length of the country in an attempt to find New Zealand's greatest undiscovered singer.

The X Factor NZ is open to singers aged over 14, with contestants split into four categories - boys under 25, girls under 25, the over 25s and groups.

Co-executive producer Andrew Szusterman says the competition is a life-changer.

"For the viewers, this is the biggest television event New Zealand has seen, for contestants, it's a competition that changes lives and launches careers.

"The X Factor NZ combines the best talent show format with an intensely local flavour...we're confident that we can bring the biggest music entertainment programme to New Zealand screens."

Since it debuted in the UK in 2004, X Factor has established itself as the world's leading singing talent search - successfully launching in over 20 territories, and discovering international recording stars including Leona Lewis, Reece Mastin and One Direction.

The latest American series of the show, featuring Britney Spears on the judging panel, started on TV3 this week.

There is no word yet on who the local judges will be.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

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