Almost 13 Years of How ITV Introduced Music Reality TV

Gosh, not only Britain's third television network ITV had a bunch of talent shows airing which were not like any other shows airing nowadays.

Since 2001, ITV has had "music reality" shows in chronological order: Popstars (2001-2002), Pop Idol (2001-2003), The X Factor (2004-present), Soapstar Superstar (2006-2007), Britain's Got Talent (2007-present) and Popstar to Operastar (2010-2011)

Popstars (2001-2002)

The British version of the Popstars franchise was launched on 13 January 2001, which proved to be a big hit for ITV. The series was won by pop group Hear'Say, which featured then-unknown Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh and Susanne Shaw. The runner-up group Liberty (later Liberty X) proved to be a bigger success as they would have Top 20 hits. The show decided to change the image after the chart rivalry between Hear'Say and Liberty X in 2001 and you guessed it. 

Liberty X won the rivalry and Kym Marsh left Hear'Say sometime in 2002 and the new line-up of the 2001 winner proved to be unfavourable by the public, resulting in their split in mid 2002. Liberty X continued success until their 2007 breakup. They finally reunited in 2012 for ITV2's The Big Reunion, which also reunited pop groups Atomic Kitten, 911, Five, B*Witched, Honeyz and Blue.

The second series Popstars: The Rivals, became more of a serious talent show than a Making the Band-esque show. The show decided to do a battle of the sexes theme, by having a boyband and a girl group competing against each other for the Christmas number-one spot.

One True Voice became the winning boyband, while Girls Aloud became the winning girl group. Girls Aloud became the true winner of the rivals as they became more successful than Liberty X. One True Voice released one more single before breaking up in August 2003.

Girls Aloud would outlive Liberty X by lasting for ten years, despite a 2009-2012 hiatus. The band broke up in spring 2013.

Despite the success, a third Popstars series never materialised as elements of it was added to what would later become The X Factor.

However the Popstars franchise has continued, with the German version becoming the most successful.

Winners: Hear'Say (2001), Girls Aloud (2002)

Runner-ups: Liberty X (2001), One True Voice (2002)

Judges: Nigel Lythgoe (2001, also known as "Nasty Nigel", now a judge on So You Think You Can Dance), Nicki Chapman (2001, later became a judge in Pop Idol), Paul Adam (2001), Pete Waterman (2002, veteran music legend known for introducing Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley and Sonia to the charts, then Pop Idol judge), Louis Walsh (2002, known for managing Westlife, future X Factor judge) and Geri Halliwell (2002, formerly known as Ginger Spice)

Presenters: Davina McCall (2001-2002)

Pop Idol (2001-2003)

This show was created by ex-Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and introduced Simon Cowell (who was already known for managing Robson and Jerome and Sinitta) to the television audience, plus it featured former Popstars judge Nicki Chapman, music producer Pete Waterman and Capital FM radio presenter (I don't use the term "radio DJ") Neil Fox, also known as "Foxy" and "Dr. Fox", now on Magic 105.4.

The first series was won by Will Young, beating Gareth Gates to triumphant victory. Darius Campbell finished third. All three finalists became successful in the UK charts. The second series, which was aired in 2003, was won by Michelle MacManus, beating Mark Rhodes. Sam Nixon finished third. All three had moderate success, with the latter two becoming well-known presenters on CBBC.

The third series failed to materialise due to the development of The X Factor. There has some attempts to revive it, but failed to happen.

The X Factor (2004-present)

Soapstar Superstar (2006-2007)

Britain's Got Talent (2007-present)

Popstar to Operastar (2010-2011)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION