Ask our Expert

X Factor: How much does it cost to vote?

Our Home Phone expert says...

Hi, Michael - thanks for your email. I know how important it is for X Factor fans to vote for their favourite acts! But votes do cost money, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t get stung calling an expensive premium number.

Below is some more information about how to vote, and details on how much voting costs.

X Factor voting - by phone

If you’re an X Factor fan watching in the UK or the Channel Islands, you can vote for the contestant - or contestants - you wish to keep in the competition, by calling the voting hotlines.

The lines will open on Saturday night after each of the acts has performed, and will close on Sunday night, halfway through the results show.

To vote, simply dial the number of the act you like most and follow the instructions. Remember to dial carefully - you don’t want to keep the wrong act in the show!

If you’re a BT landline customer, each phone vote costs a maximum of 36p (and doesn't include a call connection fee). Calls made with another home phone provider may be higher, and voters using their mobiles will be charged considerably more - speak to your mobile network provider to find out exactly how much you’ll be charged.

Charges from other home phone providers are detailed below.

X Factor voting - press the “red button”

If you don’t want to vote by phone, you can keep your favourite X Factor act in the show by voting with your TV subscription. X Factor viewers with a subscription to Sky or Virgin Media digital TV services can vote interactively by pressing the “red button” on their remote control and following the instructions.

For BT Vision customers, a red button vote costs 36p and is likely to cost the same as a phone call with other providers, though other charges may also apply. These will appear on the bill of the phone line used for digital TV service - either your monthly Virgin Media bill, your Sky landline bill (if your line rental is provided by Sky) or your BT landline bill.

Home phone providers

Voting or entering TV competitions

Calling a TV competition or voting hotline can be expensive, so it’s important you know how much you will be charged before you call - you don’t want a nasty surprise when you get your next bill.

09 numbers are mainly used for competitions, TV voting, horoscopes, chat lines, adult lines, and recorded information or professional advice services. Calls to 09 numbers (such as the X Factor voting numbers) typically cost between 10p and £1.65 a minute for landline customers, but can cost a lot more from a mobile phone - sometimes as much as £2.50 a minute.

If you’re not sure, speak to your provider and find out exactly how much the call will cost before you dial.

For more information about the cost of a call, please read the Homephonechoices.co.uk guide to call charges and costs.

Can I bar calls to 09 numbers?

If you’re worried about the cost of these calls, you can block these premium rate numbers from being dialled from your phone, as you can with other numbers. These numbers are also regulated by PhonepayPlus, which looks after premium rate phone services in the UK.

Simply speak to your provider about having certain numbers barred - this will stop your kids from racking up huge phone bills by voting for the likes of Marcus Collins, Amelia Lily or Misha B!

I hope this helps you, Michael. Good luck to Little Mix and all of this year’s X Factor finalists. Remember, lines open on Saturday night after all the acts have performed, so be sure to vote for your favourite contestant, but always ask the bill payer’s permission.

Ask us a question

If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at ourexpert@homephonechoices.co.uk