Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Simon Cowell was in a bit of a snit a few weeks back when NBC dared air a new episode of The Voice on a Wednesday, a night he thought should be reserved for viewing of The X Factor.

By the time this week is over, he might be in more than a snit.

And FOX might be wondering why it recently renewed his show for a third season.

That’s because on Wednesday and Thursday, The Voice and The X Factor will go head to head with new two-hour shows for the first time ever.

As a result of Tuesday’s election, NBC will air The Voice on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.; The X Factor airs at the same time both nights.

And judging from last week’s ratings, The Voice is likely to kick The X Factor’s butt.

The Voice ranked first among the networks in attracting viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 on both Monday and Tuesday night last week, according to TV by the Numbers.

Monday’s show was viewed by an estimated 12.4 million viewers; Tuesday’s by about 20.1, even though Hurricane Sandy was bearing down on the East Coast as it aired.

The X Factor narrowly lost Wednesday night among 18 to 49-year-olds to … ready for this — “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

Then on Thursday, The X Factor finished third among the four major networks, drawing only half as many viewers as the CMA Awards and “The Big Bang Theory.”

The only show it beat was a repeat of The Voice from earlier in the week.

The X Factor’s estimated audience: 7.4 million on Wednesday night; 6.2 million on Thursday.

Examiner.com reports those are the lowest numbers The X Factor has ever recorded with new shows in its regular Wednesday and Thursday time slots.

And they’re just a bit short of Simon’s 20 million viewer goal when the show launched last year.