Get your popcorn ready because ‘The X Factor (US)’ is heading your way! Launching on Fox on Wednesday September 21st at 8pm ET, the show is set to change the landscape of reality TV thanks to media mastermind Simon Cowell.

Alongside fellow judges LA Reid, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, Cowell has planned 26 exciting episodes in hopes of competing with his former show, ‘American Idol’, and new ratings giant ‘The Voice’. Furthermore, while he was unable to secure a post for Mariah Carey on the panel because of pregnancy, he has confirmed that the icon will serve as a mentor during the season.

Read the full press release below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Aug. 5, 2011

‘THE X FACTOR’ PREMIERES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 AND THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, ON FOX

Boot Camp Begins Wednesday, October 5 

Judges’ Homes Start Wednesday, October 12

Finalists Revealed Tuesday, October 25

Finalists First Live Performance Show

Airs Wednesday, November 2

THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over – both solo artists and vocal groups – who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.

Hosted by Steve Jones, the two-night series premiere of THE X FACTOR will showcase the live auditions which took place in front of audiences of thousands, around the country Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Auditions from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark and Seattle, as well as from YouTube and the nationwide MyStudio audition booths, will continue the following week on Wednesday, Sept. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Sept. 29 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Hopefuls who pass the initial auditions will travel to Los Angeles for “Boot Camp” beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and continuingThursday, Oct. 6 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT). During this phase of the competition, the contestants will face the panel of judges and a live audience as they are judged on their singing, dancing and overall performance styles.

Those who make it through “Boot Camp” will earn a place in one of four THE X FACTOR categories: young guys, young girls, older singers and groups. After the categories of semifinalists are set, THE X FACTOR 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, Oct. 12 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT),Thursday, Oct. 13 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and on a special Tuesday airing Oct. 18 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).

During a special extended Tuesday airing on Oct. 25 (8:00-10:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the judges will reveal who has earned one of the coveted spots among the season’s finalists. It will then be up to America, as well as the judges, to decide who moves forward in the competition starting with the first performance show featuring the finalists from each category on Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

RECAP (All times ET/PT)

Wednesday, Sept. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM)    Season Premiere, Part 1

Thursday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM)       Season Premiere, Part 2

Wednesday, Sept. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM)   Auditions Episode

Thursday, Sept. 29 (8:00-10:00 PM)       Auditions Episode

Wednesday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:30 PM)          Boot Camp, Part 1

Thursday, Oct. 6 (8:00-9:30 PM)              Boot Camp, Part 2

Wednesday, Oct. 12 (8:00-9:30 PM)        Judges’ Homes, Part 1

Thursday, Oct. 13 (8:00-9:30 PM)            Judges’ Homes, Part 2

Tuesday, Oct. 18 (8:00-9:30 PM)             Judges’ Homes, Part 3 (Special Tuesday Airing)

Tuesday, Oct. 25 (8:00-10:30 PM)            Finalists Revealed (Special Tuesday Airing)

Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM)       LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Nov. 3 (8:00-9:00 PM)              LIVE Results Show

Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM)        LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Nov. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM)            LIVE Results Show

Wednesday, Nov. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM)      LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Nov. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM)             LIVE Results Show

Tuesday, Nov. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM)             LIVE Performance Show (Special Tuesday Airing)

Wednesday, Nov. 23 (8:00-9:30 PM)     LIVE Results Show (Special Wednesday Airing)

Wednesday, Nov. 30 (8:00-9:30 PM)         LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Dec. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM)                LIVE Results Show

Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8:00-9:30 PM)            LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Dec. 8 (8:00-9:00 PM)               LIVE Results Show

Wednesday, Dec. 14 (8:00-9:30 PM)          LIVE Performance Show

Thursday, Dec. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM)              LIVE Results Show

Wednesday, Dec. 21 (8:00-9:30 PM)          LIVE Season Finale, Part 1

Thursday, Dec. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM)           LIVE Season Finale, Part 2

THE X FACTOR is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Cowell, Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.

Thoughts?