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Tag: American Idol

  • A Treat for All Music Lovers: The Revolutionary Reality Show American Idol, with its latest edition, makes its way to Star World on 16th March

    A Treat for All Music Lovers: The Revolutionary Reality Show American Idol, with its latest edition, makes its way to Star World on 16th March

    MUMBAI: The singing reality show that started off almost two decades ago, in 2002, American Idol established itself as one of the most iconic shows just after its launch and went on to become one of the most sensational shows of all time. Known to provide a platform to some of the biggest pop idols of our generation, American Idol, with its next edition of Season 18, will be showcased in India on Star World, one of the leading English entertainment channels. Starting 16th March Monday – Friday at 9PM, get ready to experience a musical treat as the show premieres in India in sync with the US, airing 23rd March onwards.

    American Idol, the show that revolutionized reality television all over the world, was the very first to bring the format of singing reality show on television and managed to inspire many countries to follow through with the concept. Certainly the most sought after launch-pad for aspiring singers, the show has recognized many talented artists and kick started the musical journeys of some of the biggest names today – Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Phillips Phillips, and many more. This time again, with its 18th edition, the show is all set to launch the talents into the world of Hollywood with the support of the very talented judges and host.

    This season, marking the third season since the reboot in 2018, will have the terrific trio judges return – the award-winning singing diva Katy Perry, legendary Academy Award winner Lionel Richie, and one of the loved country music singer, Luke Bryan along with the host, comedian Bobby Bones who will continue to woo the audience with his charisma and charm. Executive producer of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest will also reprise his role as the show's host, a position he's held since the singing competition first debuted 18 years ago. This season will witness participants go through some challenging rounds with for only one to be crowned as the winner of American Idol 2020!

    The singing reality show has enjoyed immense popularity worldwide, giving the world of music some of the biggest superstar voices and will continue to be the platform that makes dreams come true. Set to bring music enthusiasts from all corners of the world and winning hearts of millions of people with soulful renditions, this new season will be aired in India only on Star World starting 16th March, every Monday– Friday at 9PM with simultaneous airing as the US international release starting 23rd March!

  • It’s a wrap for the latest season of American Idol on Zee Café

    It’s a wrap for the latest season of American Idol on Zee Café

    MUMBAI: Hearts beat loud, seconds felt like eons and the room was filled with a deafening silence that finally ended with a loud celebration. After much speculation and a neck-to-neck battle; one deserving and talented artist triumphed as the biggest singing sensation in the most anticipated season finale of American Idol on Zee Café. Laine Hardy, the 18-year-old country singer from New Orleans beat the 24-year old fan-favourite Alejandro Aranda, in becoming the newest singing phenomenon, winning the most prestigious title of American Idol.

    This season, Zee Café, through its endeavour to bring ‘All Eyes On New’, provided countless budding artists with a platform and a golden opportunity to showcase their talent in an exciting campaign called #IdolInTheMaking. The channel, in association with many talented and successful idols like Monica Dogra, Melvin Lewis, Thomson Andrews and Sejal Kumar, set to motion a 360-degree marketing approach across on-air and social media platforms.

    Every week, Zee Café opened the floor to fans across the country with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, encouraging them to send in their renditions of the song of the week disclosed on the episode. Having received over 150 entries, one lucky winner received the reward of a lifetime – a golden ticket straight to Hollywood. Featuring performers such as Monica Dogra, Melvin Lewis, Thomson Andrews and Sejal Kumar, the video series featured each of them take up the exciting challenge. The first video kick-started with renowned International artist Monica Dogra singing the song of the week with a twist. While Monica Dogra sang her beautiful rendition of ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ by John Denver, Zerxes Wadia, MC, made it difficult for the international sensation by adding moods like grief, happy, opera etc. as she sang. (Monica Dogra accepted the challenge! #IdolInTheMaking)

    Next in the series was the popular choreographer Melvin Louis who performed to Love Someone by Lukas Graham with a table full of props thrown his way. (Melvin Louis Danced To Our Tunes! #IdolInTheMaking). Continuing the excitement and encouraging fans further, the series witnessed the popular YouTuber Sejal Kumar and the multi-talented singer-dancer Thomson Andrews who each accepted the challenge and shared their soulful renditions of Diamond by Rihanna and Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. (Sejal Kumar Shines Bright Like A Diamond! #IdolInTheMaking | Thomson Andrews is CRAZY! #IdolInTheMaking). In over a month, the series of videos attracted over 150 entries from fans across the country with 6.4 million video views and 37 million impressions across platforms.

    #IdolInTheMaking video series:

  • American Idol – the game-changer of reality television now on ZEE5

    American Idol – the game-changer of reality television now on ZEE5

    MUMBAI: All you music lovers who have been a part of America’s biggest search for its talent are in for a big treat! American Idol – the reality TV show that changed television viewing forever is all set to make its debut on ZEE5, India’s largest and most comprehensive digital entertainment platform for language content. Available from 2nd July, the show is available for binge-watching for all you die-hard fans.

    The latest season i.e 16th season hosted by Emmy® Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest, the heart and soul of the show, will be available.

    The show that debuted in 2002, American Idol held the distinct rank of being the highest-rated series for a decade. The popular show, viewed by a worldwide audience of over 460 million across 53 countries, will be a delight for the Indian viewers to binge watch on.

    With superstar judges – Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, the much-awaited 8th season of American Idol has brought fresh talent and some amazing artists forth to sweep the audience by their feet. American Idol has brought to the fore a sea of talent in the past. The 2018 season came to a close with Iowa-born Maddie Poppe being announced the winner.

    ZEE5 India, Chief Marketing Officer, Manish Aggarwal said, “American Idol is one of the highest watched music competition series. The show introduced many firsts for us a generation – a talent show that placed the power of choice in the listener’s hand. It also introduced the concept of text and mobile voting, forming a different kind of engagement with the audience. It was also the first show that placed the spotlight squarely on talented musicians in the country pushing music into the national eye. We believe the show will be a huge hit across a huge cross-section of our subscribers – starting from those for whom American Idol was part of their wonder years. Bringing the show, as part of our marquee offerings that have music videos, international shows from BBC, Hollywood. Movies etc., is an aspect that is a crucial part of brand promise.”

    ZEE5 has an exciting original content line-up which will feature some of the biggest and most entertaining faces from the world of Indian entertainment. The platform will have 90+ original shows by the end of March 2019.

    Availability: The ZEE5 App can be downloaded from Google Play Storehttp://bit.ly/zee5andand iOS App Storehttp://bit.ly/zee5ios. Also available at www.zee5.com, as a Progressive Web App (PWA), and on Apple TVand Amazon Fire TV Stick.ZEE5 also supports Chromecast.

    Pricing: Freemium pricing model with both free and paid premium content (including Originals) to cater to a mix of audiences. Viewers who subscribe to the ZEE5 subscription pack will get access to the entire library of content at a special launch offer price of INR 99 per month instead of the actual monthly pack price of INR 150.

  • Amazon Prime Video secure exclusive rights to new series of american idol in UK for first time

    Amazon Prime Video secure exclusive rights to new series of american idol in UK for first time

    MUMBAI: American Idol, the iconic series that revolutionized the US television landscape by pioneering the music competition genre, goes global as FremantleMedia International completes deals for the new series in 150 territories.

    The latest deal to have been completed is with Amazon Prime Video UK, which will see American Idol air exclusively in the UK the day after it first airs in the US.

    On the deal,  EMEA for FremantleMedia International, EVP, Head of Sales and Distribution, Jamie Lynn said: “American Idol has launched to fantastic ratings on ABC in the US and we are excited that Amazon Prime Video will become the exclusive home of the new series in the UK with this unique deal. To see one of the biggest entertainment shows on a streaming service is a not only a first, but testament to the appetite for American Idol and will be a whole new way to reach fans of the series.”

    FremantleMedia International’s global sales team have secured a multitude of new international deals for new season of the entertainment series with CTV (Canada), Foxtel (Australia), Canal Sony (Latin America), MNET (Africa), SIC (Portugal and Portuguese-speaking Africa), Intervision (Greece), Three (New Zealand), Fjarskipti (Iceland), Novalifε (Greece), Sia All Media (Lithuania), Marjan Television (Farsi-speaking MENA), beIN (MENA) and beIN Series Home&Entertainment (Turkey).

    Helping to determine who will ultimately become the next singing sensation are music industry forces and superstar judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Emmy Award-winning producer Ryan Seacrest returns as host of the beloved series.

    American Idol launched on ABC to an overnight audience of 10.3 million, making it the number one show in its timeslot and more than doubling the slot average. The “Idol” format has taken on original versions in 55 countries around the world, and American Idol itself has played to a worldwide audience across 150 territories.

    To date, American Idol has earned 57 Emmy nominations and eight wins, including the prestigious Governors Award in 2016, and its talented discoveries have already won 13 Grammys, two Golden Globes and an Academy Award, among numerous other accolades. The show has launched the careers of superstars Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Adam Lambert and Chris Daughtry, among many others. American Idol contestants have sold more than 61 million albums, resulting in more than 47 Platinum records.  Its participants have generated more than 444 Billboard No. 1 hits and sold more than 257 million digital downloads.

    “American Idol” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and CORE Media Group’s 19 Entertainment. Executive producers include FremantleMedia North America’s Trish Kinane and Jennifer Mullin, along with executive producer Phil McIntyre representing CORE Media. FremantleMedia International distributes the series worldwide

  • Fox to bring down curtains on ‘American Idol’ in 2016; lines up new shows

    Fox to bring down curtains on ‘American Idol’ in 2016; lines up new shows

    MUMBAI: Popular reality show American Idol will begin its 15th – and final – season in January 2016 on Fox.

     

    A season-long celebratory event, American Idol XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final Idol superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols.

     

    The reality show began in 2002 and was a huge success. Over the years, American Idol has been responsible for churning out singing stars like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.

     

    NEW SHOWS

     

    Additionally, Fox also announced that its old hit The X-Files will debut with a special two-night event beginning 24 January, following the NFC Championship Game, and continuing with its time period premiere on 25 January. The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

     

    Come September, Fox will also be bringing back the new TV hit Empire. The show is expected to run up to 18 episodes next season, up from the 12 this year.

     

    Fox will also introduce a series of new shows in 2016 like the devilish drama Lucifer, which is based on a DC Comics story and modern gothic action series The Frankenstein Code; and two comedies, The Guide To Surviving Life and animated Bordertown.

     

    In addition, two new dramas – the futuristic Minority Report and the Miami-set Rosewood will debut this fall. Based on Steven Spielberg’s international blockbuster film and the first of his films to be adapted for television, Minority Report follows the partnership between a man (Stark Sands) haunted by the future and a cop (Meagan Good) haunted by her past, as they race to stop the worst crimes before they happen.

     

    Ryan Murphy will return with a new show, Scream Queens, which stars Emma Roberts and Jamie Lee Curtis. Additionally, John Stamos will lead a new comedy titled Grandfathered, and Rob Lowe and Fred Savage will star in The Grinder. New Girl returns to the Tuesday comedy block in January with a season of uninterrupted episodes.

     

    As previously announced, Grease:Live, a three-hour production of the massively popular crossover musical Grease, starring superstar singers, dancers and actresses Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens, will air live on 31 January, 2016 on Fox.

     

    Additional Fox series include: Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, Bob’s Burgers, Boom!, Bones, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bullseye, Family Guy, Gotham, Hell’s Kitchen, Masterchef, Masterchef Junior, The Simpsons, Sleepy Hollow, So You Think You Can Dance and World’s Funniest.

  • CBS upgrades LA’s Television City with Sony’s new 4k live production camera

    CBS upgrades LA’s Television City with Sony’s new 4k live production camera

    MUMBAI: CBS’ Television City production facility — home to many of television’s top-rated entertainment programs including Survivor finale, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, The Price is Right, The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Late Late Show, and So You Think You Can Dance — is adding Sony’s new HDC-4300 live 4K high frame rate camera system to its line-up. The facility will roll-out eight of the new 2/3-inch sensor models starting in June.

     

    The new cameras will complement CBS’ current inventory of Sony high-definition HDC camera models. Now with HD/4K simultaneous recording, the facility can continue to deliver the highest-quality HD programming, while also giving CBS Television City the option to capture an “evergreen” 4K master for archival and future broadcast use.

     

    “With the capabilities of these new cameras, we can continue to put the best-looking product on the air today, enhance our production values and protect our assets well into the future with the highest resolution master,” said CBS Television City senior vice president and general manager Barry Zegel.

     

    CBS has a long history with Sony HD technology, starting with the first demonstration ever of HD in the US and including a variety of HD broadcast firsts in sports and entertainment.

     

    The new camera also uses the same control surface as Sony’s previous HDC series cameras, so operators will be instantly familiar with the new HDC-4300 operation.

     

    The HDC-4300 uses three 2/3-inch chips with Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) native resolution; 3x Super Slow Motion as standard, with even higher speeds up to 8x planned for the future; and support for the same 2/3-inch sports, studio and ENG lenses used with Sony HDC models.

     

  • David Cook signs worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music

    David Cook signs worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music

     
    MUMBAI: Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music Warner/Chappell Music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with singer and songwriter David Cook.
     
     
    Following a victorious run on the seventh season of American Idol, Cook set the record for the most songs by one artist on the Hot 100 of any week – charting 11 entries – and also set the record for the most debuts on Billboard’s Digital Songs chart with 14 songs. This success was soon followed by Cook’s self-titled, platinum-selling debut album, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and saw two Top 20 singles.
     
     
    “I’m excited to get involved with Warner/Chappell and work with some of the best songwriters in the industry. It’s an honor to be a part of the roster and I’m looking forward to furthering my songwriting career with them,” said Cook.
     
     
    Warner/Chappell Music Nashville executive vice president Ben Vaughn said, “David brings so much to the table with his diversity as a songwriter and a voice that makes you stop and pay attention. We’re looking forward to supporting him as his career continues to grow.”
     
     
    Cook has sold over five million tracks, and his second album, This Loud Morning, debuted in the top ten. In 2012, Cook relocated to Nashville, TN. Freshly inspired by the creative spirit of Music City, Cook is currently working on music for his new album – a collection of tracks he wrote and self-produced, including the new single “Wait For Me.” In addition to his own music, Cook has become a fixture in the Nashville songwriting community, recently co-writing the 2014 top 20 country radio single “Kiss You Tonight,” by David Nail.
  • 21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    21st Century Fox, Apollo combine Shine, Endemol and Core Media to create content powerhouse

    BENGALURU: Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox and private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC (Apollo) announced an awaited agreement to create a leading global multi-platform content provider. The agreement brings together Apollo’s Endemol and Core Media with 21st Century Fox Shine Group and to form one of the largest content creators in the world. Sophie Turner Laing, former managing director of content at BSkyB, will serve as the group’s CEO.

    Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. Industry sources say that this is a 50:50 partnership between 21st Century Fox and Apollo.

    In 2011, Apollo bought Core Media, which owns the Idol franchise. Also, in 2011, Murdoch’s News Corp (now 21st Century Fox) paid $ 673 million for Shine Group, a UK producer of Biggest Loser. Elizabeth Murdoch then owned 80 per cent of the Shine Group.

     
    Prior to completion of the transaction, Endemol, Shine and Core will continue to operate as separate companies. Upon completion of the transaction, Core will retain its own capital structure. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the calendar year. AGM Partners is serving as financial advisor to 21st Century Fox.

     
    Current Endemol CEO Just Spee and Shine Group CEO Alex Mahon will remain with their respective companies for an extended period following the close of the transaction, working with Turner Laing on the transition and integration of business operations. Following the transition period, both will step down in 2015 to pursue new opportunities. Upon the transaction’s close Elisabeth Murdoch will step down as non-executive chairman of Shine Group.

     

     
    “This partnership advances our strategy of accelerating Fox’s growth in worldwide television production,” said 21st Century Fox president and CEO Chase Carey. “The combination of these assets will create a leading global format business with a deep and diverse portfolio of products, enhanced distribution capabilities, and world-class creative talent. We are extremely grateful to Alex Mahon for her leadership of Shine and are delighted to partner with Apollo in supporting Sophie Turner Laing, and the talent at Shine, Endemol and Core, in our shared mission to form an unrivalled team to lead this truly global content creation business.”

     
    Turner Laing said, “Content has never been more creatively vibrant and exciting and our exceptional production and distribution capabilities will be a magnet for talent to realise their creative ambitions across all platforms on a regional and global scale.”

     
    Apollo senior partner Aaron Stone said, “The group will have impressive capabilities to offer the creative community and to invest in all aspects of media’s future.  At the heart of this partnership are the businesses’ thousands of employees around the world.”

     
    The combined company will have disparate shows like the MasterChef which has more than 50 editions around the world, Big Brother, Hell on Wheels, Idol and So You Think You Can Dance properties.

    Turner Laing has spent the last decade at BSkyB, where she oversaw content strategy and was instrumental in the expansion of its portfolio of entertainment channels, including the Company’s partnership with HBO says 21st Century Fox.
     

     

  • AT&T and ‘American Idol’ part ways

    AT&T and ‘American Idol’ part ways

    MUMBAI: Judges have come and gone, but what had remained consistent about Fox’s American Idol apart from host Ryan Seacrest, are the sponsors.

     

    However, in a new development AT&T which has been the sponsor for the reality show for its last 12 editions has finally decided to part ways. The American telecom giant has earlier been quoted as saying that the show is a powerful platform that allows it to connect with its customers directly.

     

    However, it seems the show’s declining ratings has adversely affected the relationship between the two. As per the Nielsen data, reported in American dailies, the average audience size for Idol has dropped by 9.9 million viewers over the past three seasons, from 23.1 million in 2011 to 13.2 million last year.

     

    The other sponsors – Coke and Ford – are still associated with the show, the 13th edition of which went on air on 15 January.

  • ‘American Idol’ format gets tweaked for Season 13

    ‘American Idol’ format gets tweaked for Season 13

    MUMBAI: In addition to changing the judges of the reality show American Idol from Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj to Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. joining Steven Tyler, the producers of the long running reality competition series have decided to tweak the show a bit in its new season.

     

    At the Television Critics’ Association Press Tour 2014, executive producer Trish Kinane said that there will be a new element called “The Chamber” that will look at the contestants just after Ryan sends them off to perform in front of the judges during the auditions.

     

    The contestants will collect themselves in a small room — “some people pray, some people sing, some people look under their arms to see if they’re perspiring. They’re intimate moments that tell you a lot about the kids,” Kinane said.

     

    The middle rounds will be condensed into one week too. Titled the Rush Week, former “Idol” Randy Jackson reemerge and conduct a two-day workshop ahead of the live shows where contestants examine their musical style and decide what look they want. It will be followed by tips from the experts. “He’s been through it for 12 years,” Kinane said. “He’s seen these kids come and go. He has a lot to offer.”

     

    Along with the changes made by the producers, the producers are taking a new approach to the music theme this year. And for those tired of the same old songs, the producers have indicated that they have expanded the song lists. “There are many more contemporary songs in the lists,” Kinane said.

     

    In India, the latest season of American Idol will air on Zee Café from 19 March onwards.