'X Factor' TV show rivets Britain, heads to USA (AP)

A record audience of nearly 20 million British viewers flocked to the "X Factor" Sunday night finale, which awarded a 1 million-pound ($1.6 million) recording contract to painter Matt Cardle, heretofore unknown beyond his immediate circle of friends.

Find elastic tapes and related product listing.

Cardle launched the first day of his new life Monday, embarking on a publicity blitz to try to drive his debut single, "When We Collide," to become No. 1 on the British Christmas charts. That lucrative spot has in recent years tended to go to the X Factor winner, but last year went instead to Rage Against the Machine, boosted by an anti-X Factor, anti-Cowell movement on Facebook.

See information about elastic straps and narrow fabrics here.

Love it or hate it, the "X Factor" is Britain's water cooler show, discussed at work, on the Tube and in the tabloids. The British media revels in building contestants up only to watch them crash and burn, usually with a waterfall of tears and quivering promises to try again next year.

Click here for information about elastic straps and other related products.

'X Factor' TV show rivets Britain, heads to USA (AP)