Premiering in March 2008, the Italian version of "The X Factor" quickly became a success for public broadcaster RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana. The contestants were split into three groups selected and mentored by one judge each: 15 to 25 years old (with Mara Maionchi as judge), over 25 (with Simona Ventura as judge) and groups (with Marco Castoldi as judge).