ITV

Tag: American Idol

  • Zee Cafe brings 3 of America’s biggest reality shows

    Zee Cafe brings 3 of America’s biggest reality shows

    MUMBAI: The viewers of Zee Café will become a witness to three of America’s highest rated reality series. The channel has signed an exclusive deal with Freemantle Media to bring the latest and multiple seasons of American Idol, America’s Got Talent and The X Factor to India.

     

    Come 19 March, Zee Café will air the 13th season of American Idol that starts in the US from 15 January with a revamped judging panel. While Keith Urban will return for the second time on the judging panel; Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson have been replaced by Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez. Ryan Seacrest will return as the host. The last edition of the show was often in the midst of controversies because of the constant cold war between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

     

    Interestingly, the finale of the show will be aired live on the channel along with US (Zee Café plans to catch up with US by airing the show on weekdays regularly) and soon after that the channel will air the 8th season of America’s Got Talent. Joining actor Howie Mendel and radio personality Howard Stern at the judges panel this year would be supermodel and host of Project Runway, Heidi Klum, along with former Spice Girls member Melanie Brown (aka Mel B), replacing Sharon Osbourne.

     

    And that’s not all! Following America’s Got Talent would be airing of The X Factor towards the end of the year. The X Factor judges panel will include Simon Cowell, singer and actress Paulina Rubio, former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland and songstress Demi Lovato.

     

    Zee Café EVP and business head Anurag Bedi, said, “We believe in bringing the best and the latest content to our viewers. These shows are synonymous with entertainment and unarguably amongst the biggest reality shows on television. Having seen the affinity the audience here has for reality shows, we are confident that these shows will be amongst the biggest shows of 2014 and will strengthen Zee Cafe’s leadership position in the English entertainment genre”.

     

    Bedi thinks that these shows already have a huge fan following in India, considering the local adaptations on Hindi GECs have worked really well. However, it’s the channel’s marketing initiatives that would work in its favour, says Bedi, who is undeterred by the fact that the previous seasons of these shows were aired on different networks. While American Idol previously aired on two different channels in India – Star World (2004-2011) and Big CBS channels (2012-2013), X Factor aired on the Big CBS channels and America’s Got Talent was aired on VH1. Bedi said, “How a show does on one platform may be very different from how it will perform on another. The content itself is of par excellence and the buzz that we create will definitely bring in viewership. We will bring in appointment viewing with these shows.”

     

    Fremantle Media EVP of sales & distribution Asia Ganesh Rajaram, said: “These shows have become a global phenomenon, engaging audiences all over the world because of its ability to attract amazingly talented hopefuls with brilliant stories to tell. We’re delighted that Indian audiences will get to enjoy these shows on Zee Café.”

     

    Given the magnanimous reach of these shows already all around the world, the marketing strategies have been decisively planned. “Considering that these shows will be amongst our tent pole properties for this year, we will take an aggressive 360 degree marketing approach to promote them,” says Bedi, also adding that the shows will be aired in the prime-time slot and will target the young urban youth. “9 pm has a very high PUT among the TG 15-24 who is the viewer of this content. We are confident it will do well at this time band,” he remarks.

     

    While Bedi didn’t divulge any details about the sponsors on board for the shows, considering the popularity of the shows some interesting deals are to be finalised.

     

    The fans of these English reality shows have seriously something interesting to look forward to!

  • Jennifer Hudson takes the Hollywood walk of fame

    Jennifer Hudson takes the Hollywood walk of fame

    MUMBAI: Jennifer Hudson became the first American Idol contestant to have her prints on the Hollywood walk of fame. She came seventh in the third season of the show but went on to garner accolades such as The Academy Award and the Grammy.

     

    Music legend and Clive Davis honoured the singer with the award. Apart from singing, she has also dribbled in acting making her debut in 2006’s Dreamgirls as well as Sex and the city. She has performed at instances such as Super Bowl XLIII, American Idol, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

     

    She is the 2512th person to be awarded the Hollywood walk of fame. She has also recorded her third album to be released in 2014.

  • Fox unveils sponsors for 11th season of ‘American Idol’

    Fox unveils sponsors for 11th season of ‘American Idol’

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox, 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia have announced that Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T will return as the official sponsors for the 11th season of the music-based reality show ‘American Idol‘.

    As a leading partner since the show‘s debut in 2002, Ford has returned as the official automotive sponsor. Once again, Ford vehicles and the show‘s finalists will be featured each week in Ford music videos, airing Thursday nights. This content, along with candid ‘making of‘ segments featuring the contestants, will also be available on www.americanidol.com. In addition, Ford will launch an all-new online promotion, offering fans an exclusive chance to win the ultimate show experience.

    The show will continue to serve as a platform for a variety of Ford vehicles, including the all-new 2013 Ford Escape. Ford will award a brand-new vehicle to both the runner-up and winner.

    For the 11th season, Coca-Cola is offering programmes that bring “families together to enjoy moments of happiness and fun”. The show is the kickoff platform for the Coca-Cola Family Night program, which presents activities and recipes throughout January and February that encourage families to “make tonight a family night.” They will also launch the new “Coca-Cola Music Cover Artwork” contest. Fans can develop their own special music cover graphics at www.mycokerewards.com/family and they could win a trip to attend the live American Idol finale. Coming back for a second year is the popular Perfect Harmony program that provides teens and young adults the opportunity to write a song with an award winning artist.

    This collaboration will culminate in an incredible performance on the biggest stage in Hollywood during an American Idol broadcast. In addition, Coca-Cola will share exclusive behind-the-scenes content online at www.mycokerewards.com and www.americanidol.com, providing fans with an inside look at the contestant experience. Other activities designed to enhance the ‘American Idol‘ experience will be featured in a variety of retail outlets across the country.

    AT&T returns this year to celebrate its 10th anniversary as the official wireless sponsor of American Idol. Once again, AT&T makes voting easier and more convenient for its customers through exclusive unlimited text-voting during the voting window after each show. Additionally, AT&T customers will benefit from unique access to their favourite Idol moments through popular mobile phone content, including Vote Number Reminder, Social Sharing of Votes and Idol Trivia.

  • ‘American Idol’ sets a ratings record on Fox

    ‘American Idol’ sets a ratings record on Fox

    MUMBAI: American Idol is going from strength to strength.

    The sixth season premiere of US broadcaster Fox’s music based reality show was the most-watched in its six-year history, drawing an estimated 37.3 million viewers according to preliminary ratings from Nielsen Media Research. In India the show airs on Star World.

    This represents a five per cent increase over last year’s record premiere audience of 35.5 million, making it the best debut for the show ever for Fox.

    As has been the case in the past American Idol, which gives viewers the chance to pick the finalists and winner, began as usual with scenes from nationwide auditions. The early rounds feature both promising singers and those who serve as targets for acerbic judge Simon Cowell before they are booted out.

  • New season of ‘American Idol’ to hit Star World on 17 January

    New season of ‘American Idol’ to hit Star World on 17 January

    MUMBAI: Star World is set to kick off a brand new season of the musical talent hunt show that has become a worldwide phenomenon, American Idol on 17 January. Slated to premiere excusively on the channel, the first episode will see a two night, four hour event beginning, direct off satellite at 8 pm.
    Apart from the standard trio of judges, guest judges for the first leg of auditions will include Olivia Newton John, Carole Bayer and Jewel. The show will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 pm and Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30 am and 10 am, respectively.

    Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell will be back once again to bring their brand of expert advice to participants. From thousands of hopefuls, and a grueling audition process, only 24 will be picked to go onto the semi- finals, and eventually, only one can win a much sought after record contract and the title of American Idol.

    Auditions for the competition began in August and swept through seven cities across the United States. Tens of thousands of would be idols from across the country showed up for what was the biggest audition so far, and the preliminary reports are that the talent this year will definitely not disappoint, informs an official release.

    With just under 43 million viewers and over 63 million votes during last year’s finale, American Idol was America’s number one rated show for the second year in a row. With local spin-offs in 30 different countries, the Idol phenomenon has taken the world by storm, each year gaining more momentum and fanfare as it determines the next big icon in music, adds the release.

    American Idol Alumni have also received Grammy nods with eleven Grammy nominations within the past three years, two of which were won by the first American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson.

  • American Idol, Superbowl, Oscar Awards top viewership in US

    American Idol, Superbowl, Oscar Awards top viewership in US

    MUMBAI: American Idol, the Superbowl, the Oscar Awards and the dance based reality show Dancing With The Stars topped the list of most viewed television shows, according to Nielsen which looked at the most popular media trends among Americans during 2006.

    This is the first time the Nielsen companies have released a compilation of “Top 10’s” for the Nielsen brands.

    . CSI, Desperate Housewives, Without A Trace, Deal Or No Deal and Grey’s Anatomy also made the cut.

    In terms of films Pirates Of The Caribbean 2, Cars, X-Men 3, The Da Vinci Code and Superman Returns were the top grossers. An Inconvenient Truth featuring former US VP Al Gore was the top grossing documentary film. Cars, Ice Age 2 and Over the Hedge were top grossing animation films. In terms of DVD sales Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire came out on top followed by The Chronicles Of Narnia, Cars and Pirates Of The Caribbean 2. In terms of web brands Yahoo!, MySpace, Google and eBay were the top four.

    The top advertisers were Procter And Gamble, GM, AT&T, Ford, Daimlerchrysler and Time Warner. In the online space the top advertisers were Gus, Vonage Holdings, Netflix, NexTag and Verizon. In terms of product placement on television the top brands were Coca Cola, Chef Revival Apparel, Nike, 24 Hour Fitness Clubs and Chicago Bears.

    In terms of books sold in the US the top five were For One More Day by Mitch Albom, Beach Road by James Patterson, horror writer Stephen King’s Cell, James Patterson’s The 5th Horseman and Janet Evanovich’s Twelve Sharp. Going forward this informatio

  • FremantleMedia, Mobliss launch mobile phone channel in the US

    FremantleMedia, Mobliss launch mobile phone channel in the US

    MUMBAI: Television format cerator FremantleMedia and Mobliss have launched a mobile phone channel, Atomic Wedgie, on the Sprint network in the US.

    The channel will feature hours of original programming as well as content from FremantleMedia’s library including hilarious animated and live action shorts, Baywatch, British cult comedy and TV bloopers.

    Atomic Wedgie will be available through a monthly subscription on Sprint, one of America’s largest mobile broadband networks, and will debut in the US with eight categories of short form comedy targeted at the 18-34 year old male demographic. It is the first mobile channel to launch from the joint venture between FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, and Mobliss, one of the most trusted names in mobile entertainment and content delivery.

    The channel will feature re-purposed content from FremantleMedia’s extensive library, the best content from third party producers and original content made specifically for mobile and produced by the company’s newly created FMX division. Mobliss provides the technology necessary to power the mobile video clips and with deep roots in the wireless industry, is a critical partner for delivering the channel to top tier carriers like Sprint.

    aFremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide GM Olivier Gers says, “This is the first mobile phone channel of its type and we are very excited to be partnering with Mobliss in order to launch this service in the US. FremantleMedia has an extensive portfolio of high quality programming and we are delighted to be able to bring this content direct to consumers, giving them one place to go for the funniest content on mobile.

    “We are also looking to acquire content and are currently creating content from scratch specifically for mobile. We are also very interested in speaking to producers to enhance our catalogue, as well as exploring other distribution venues for the channel.”

    Mobliss president and CEO Jim Merrick says, “Mobliss and FremantleMedia have a successful track record of delivering mobile entertainment that has not only been fun and accessible to everyone, but has helped to cement the mobile device as a true entertainment platform. It is this history combined with Sprint’s leadership in mobile video in the US, and the hilarious content, that positions Atomic Wedgie for success.”

    FremantleMedia and Mobliss have enjoyed a long and successful partnership and together have been credited for introducing SMS messaging for American Idol – the largest text voting campaign in television history – and the creation of the mobile games Family Feud and The Price is Right.

  • Sony ships new ‘American Idol’ music creation software

    Sony ships new ‘American Idol’ music creation software

    MUMBAI: Sony Media Software, a provider of music creation programs for the PC and FremantleMedia licensing worldwide, the licensing division of FremantleMedia, international creators and producers of programmed brands in the world, have announced the availability of American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, two new applications that let users create music just like the stars of American Idol.

    American Idol Jam Trax software is an easy- to-use music creation and recording software application that comes with over six hundred music loops and samples which can be mixed together to build original songs. Users can lay down an instrumental background track, plug in a microphone and record their vocals live. Additionally, the software can change the tempo and key of a song and can even email the finished results to others right from within the program and is available at a price of $19.95, asserts an official release.

    American Idol Extreme Music Creator software offers more advanced music- making features for aspiring musicians and singers who are serious about the chance at their turn as America’s next superstar. Users can record their vocals, remix their own favorite songs or burn them to a CD to share with others.

    The software includes hundreds of royalty-free music loops and samples in multiple genres making the creative possibilities endless. Extreme Music Creator also comes with a free Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Pack bonus disc, providing over 250 additional pop music loops and samples. With up to six prearranged projects, users can simply lay down their vocals and create a song and is available at a price of $49.95.

    Music producer and one of the judges on American Idol Randy Jackson said, “This software is the bomb, working with American Idol Extreme Music Creator software is a great way for anyone to discover their hidden musical talents. With my producer’s pack you can access even more loops that will help you create your own tracks and remix your favorite songs. Then you can share your new music creations with the world.”

    American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software (which includes the bonus Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Pack) are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Office Depot, Amazon.com and other major retail stores nationwide.

    Future editions of the Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Packs, add-on loops and music samples for American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, will hit the shelves before the holidays for a price of $24.95, adds the release.

  • ‘American idol’ winner Hicks sues record producer

    ‘American idol’ winner Hicks sues record producer

    MUMBAI: The winner of the fifth season of US broadcaster Fox’s music based reality show American Idol Taylor Hicks has filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the release of his first recordings.

    The soul singer has been granted a temporary restraining order, which will prevent producer William Smith from cashing in on Hicks’ early tracks. Hicks hopes that the court will make the injunction permanent. He is also seeking unspecified damages in a lawsuit filed against Smith.

    Media reports state that Smith has been using ITunes to sell some very old tracks that Hicks recorded back in 1997, including a song titled “The Fall”. E! Online has quoted Smith as saying, “I have the legal right to use these recordings for a period of seven years to further his musical career. I am not going to radio, I am going to iTunes. This is the best way to make this single a number one hit.”

    Hicks has sued Smith and his production company for more than $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. Reports indicate that the singer’s lawyer received a letter in July from Smith stating that he planned to release a song on iTunes that Hicks had laid down in 1997 called The Fall.

    Hicks stated in his complaint that Smith has no ownership rights to any of the songs in question, and he is maintaining that Smith is in violation of the agreement the two arrived at after the songs unlawfully hit iTunes the first time around.

  • Lycos reports jump in visits to football online sites

    Lycos reports jump in visits to football online sites

    MUMBAI: The online entertainment destination for creators and consumers of quality content, Lycos has announced data from The Lycos 50. It is the 50 most popular Internet search results for the week ending 17 June 2006.

    In The Lycos 50 top 10, the search results for football sites is at number nine, up 59 per cent over the previous week.

    Interest in the 2006 Fifa World Cup soccer tournament has driven World Cup in terms of searches.

    Also scoring big online is American Idol reject Elliott Yamin at number 21 generating 667 per cent more online interest than winner Taylor Hicks, who actually dropped off that week’s list.

    In terms of search, poker was at number one. Britney Spears, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton and MySpace are also in the top 10.