The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Britney Spears leaves 'X Factor' after a season

Posted: 10 Jan 2013 07:59 PM PST

REUTERS - Britney Spears is leaving Fox singing contest The X Factor, a source close to the show said on Thursday, having failed to turn her star power into ratings success in one season as a judge.

"I can confirm (the news)," said the source, who was not authorized to speak on the record, when asked about media reports of Spears' exit.

Celebrity and television news outlets gave differing reasons for the decision to quit.

People magazine quoted an unnamed source as saying that the 31-year-old wanted to concentrate on her music, while TV Guide's sources said Spears understood she was about to be axed.

Her departure leaves fellow judge and executive producer Simon Cowell searching for a big name and personality to lift the U.S. version of The X Factor past its NBC rival, The Voice, in the ratings.

Spears (pic) was recruited to The X Factor with a reported $15 million salary after a 14-year singing career that made her one of the biggest pop stars of the 2000s. Reports say she has begun working on her eighth studio album.

Cowell now has to remake half of the panel for the second time in two years, after judge L.A. Reid announced before December's finale that he would be returning full time to his job as the head of Epic Records.

The X Factor is due to return for a third season in September 2013.

Cowell banked on Spears' huge fan base and a strong curiosity factor to give his show a second chance with audiences after a disappointing first season in 2011 that ended with the firing of two judges as well as host Steve Jones.

Spears took The X Factor gig with singer Demi Lovato, 20, in May to fill the judges' seats left by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, who were both fired by Cowell.

But TV critics said Spears often came across as bland and boring in her role as a judge and mentor to the aspiring pop-star contestants, and the show lost some three million viewers compared to its first season.

Red FM launches new website and mobile app

Posted: 11 Jan 2013 01:52 AM PST

KEEPING up with the times is always a good thing. Red FM is constantly working towards creating a more immersive listening experience for listeners who are constantly on the go. With this in mind, Red FM is rolling out a more convenient platform to gain access to the station.

Red FM has relaunched its website, www.red.fm with a completely refreshed look, delivering engaging content to encourage more interactivity from listeners.

Visually the website is fresh and bold with no clutter. It is designed to offer a more user-friendly experience.

Packed with entertainment content, it also gives access to competitions running on-air. The key feature of the relaunched website is social media integration with both the Facebook (fb.red.fm) and Twitter platforms available on the site.

Along with the new website, Red FM has launched an upgraded app for Android and iPhone users. This brand new app has a Menu Selector that makes your experience effortless. The new app also offers better audio quality with more entertainment updates. With a tap of the finger, you will be able to like a song being played thus allowing the station to know which songs you would like to hear more of. The app is for download now with great features coming your way soon.

To round it all up, Red FM is now available on TV through Hypp TV.

Hypp TV is Telecom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) offering via its Internet over Protocol TV (IPTV) service. Red FM is available on Channel 955.

So Red FM is now available via radio, web, mobile and Hypp TV. Talk about a trusted companion throughout the day! For more info, log on to (red.fm). Join the Red FM Malaysia Facebook fan page on www.facebook.com/redfm.my and follow us on Twitter @iloveredfm.

Red FM is owned and operated by The Star.

> Red FM's Station Frequencies: Taiping, Kedah, Perlis & Pulau Langkawi: 98.1FM; Georgetown & Seberang Perai: 107.6 FM; Ipoh, Perak: 106.4 FM; Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan & Tapah: 104.9FM; Kuantan, Pahang: 91.6 FM; Batu Pahat and Melaka: 98.9FM; Johor Bahru and Singapore: 92.8FM

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 10 Januari 2013