'The X Factor' Schedule Revealed

FOX

The X Factor will kick off live performance episodes Wednesday, Nov. 2 after audition episodes, the Los Angeles “boot camp” episodes and the “judges’ homes” phase that where Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will reveal who will make it to the semifinalists.

The two-night, four-hour premiere of The X Factor on Sept. 21 and 22 will feature live auditions from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark and Seattle, as well as from YouTube and the nationwide MyStudio audition booths. Auditions will continue over two nights the following week.

Hopefuls who pass the initial auditions head to Los Angeles for “boot camp” – where contestants face the judges panel and a live audience – Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 5 and 6 (8-9:30 p.m.).

Contestants who make it through “boot camp” earn a place in one of four categories: young guys, young girls, older singers and groups. Show producers surprise the judges with the category they will mentor. Then, the remaining contestants from each category will visit the “judges’ homes” for their chance to make it to the live shows on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 12 and 13 (8-9:30 p.m.) and Thursday Oct. 18 (8-9:30 p.m.).

During an extended Tuesday installment on Oct. 25 (8-10:30 p.m.), which will be live on the East Coast and tape-delayed on the West Coast, judges will reveal the finalists. Viewers begin voting with the live performance shows that start Nov. 2. The two-night finale will air Dec. 21 and 22.

Additionally, Fox revealed that the winning singer or group will star in their own Pepsi commercial set to air during NBC’s telecast of Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 12. Pepsi has a tradition of music-related Super Bowl spots; previous commercials have featured Michael Jackson, Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.