X Factor USA viewers to vote using Twitter and Facebook

Direct Twitter messages will only count as votes on X Factor USA

X Factor viewers in America will get to vote using Twitter and Facebook as the show's live finals continue next week.

"It's a sign of the times," said head judge Simon Cowell, who thinks more votes will come in as a result of expanding the process.

"Sites like Twitter and Facebook give [the audience] a much bigger voice."

Votes can still be sent in by making a phone call, sending a text message and by using a special app created for android mobile phones.

On Tuesday's first live show, five acts were cut leaving 12 remaining contestants.

Simon Cowell is mentoring the girls, with L.A. Reid in charge of the boys, Paula Abdul is helping the groups and Nicole Scherzinger has the solo acts over 30-years-old.

"Right now each judge has someone in their category who could win the show," said Simon Cowell. "But if I had to bet on it, I'd back me."

This is the latest movie by Simon Cowell to inject more life into his project in the US.

Viewing figures for the show, which has a £3m first prize, are not as high as the 52-year-old predicted.

Simon Cowell's former show American Idol introduced Facebook voting in February.

Earlier this year his decision to replace Cheryl Cole with Nicole Scherzinger caused his friendship with the Girls Aloud singer to break down.

Meanwhile, audiences for The X Factor in the UK continue to fall with Strictly Come Dancing threatening to overtake it as the most watched programme.