ITV

Tag: The X Factor

  • Fremantlemedia & Syco partner SKAI TV for ‘The X Factor’

    Fremantlemedia & Syco partner SKAI TV for ‘The X Factor’

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI), Syco Entertainment and SKAI TV have joined hands to bring a new local version of the global hit entertainment format The X Factor. The local version of the format will mark the start of the channel’s brand new entertainment strand and is due to launch in spring 2016.

     

    The deal brings the total number of global commissions for this British born format to an incredible 51 territories worldwide.

     

    Talking about the new strategy, Fremantlemedia International SVP Middle East, Africa & South Eastern Europe Anahita Kheder said, “We are looking forward to collaborating with SKAI on their new push into entertainment, and even more thrilled that they chose The X Factor as one of the pivotal brands to launch this new direction of programming. The X Factor continues to inspire and entertain viewers the world over. It has proved to be a great launch pad for some of the biggest global sensations and with this new version in Greece; we are excited about adding another superstar to that list.”

     

    SKAI program director Alkistis Maragoudaki added, “SKAI is overjoyed to welcoming the ultimate global music talent show: The X Factor. Created by the leaders of entertainment, SYCO and FremantleMedia,The X Factor is one of the most favoured music television events around the globe and has paved the road for the future talents today thus rendering the show a trendsetter that promises and delivers. Our aim is to embrace this project with our high quality standards, and thus to consolidate our strategy towards the realm of entertainment.”

     

    Syco Entertainment head of international George Levendis said, “I am thrilled to see The X Factor back on Greek & Cypriot television in its new home on Skai TV. There are some exciting format developments that will ensure The X Factor is fresh and innovative to the Greek audience. The X Factor in Greece has always delivered talented, vibrant and wonderfully fun contestants. This new season on Skai TV will be no different. And, personally speaking, The X Factor has been a big part of my life for the last eight years – so seeing it back in my country is fantastic.”

  • Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora join ‘The X Factor’, Fernandez-Versini & Cowell return

    Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora join ‘The X Factor’, Fernandez-Versini & Cowell return

    MUMBAI: ITV, Syco and Thames announced that Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora have signed as judges for the new series of The X Factor, as well as confirming that Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will return to the judging panel alongside show creator Simon Cowell. 

     

    Popstar Rita Ora is no stranger to The X Factor having first appeared on the show in 2012 as a guest judge. Ora burst on to the music scene in 2012, scoring a No.1 single with her collaboration with DJ Fresh on ‘Hot Right Now’. She went on to have a No. 1 debut album which produced two further No.1 singles. The first single from her second album, ‘I Will Never Let You Down’, became her fourth UK number one when it debuted at the top of the charts. 

     

    Speaking about joining the show, Ora said, “I am excited to be coming back to The X Factor – I had a ball here in 2012. This is a journey I can’t wait to embark on to find some talented singers. It’s the new generation taking over. Booooom.” 

     

    As the host of BBC Radio 1’s Breakfast show since 2012, Grimshaw is one of the most respected Radio DJs in the business. A massive champion of music, he will bring a new and fresh perspective to the panel in the search for the next big singing sensation. 

     

    A well-known fan of The X Factor, Grimshaw said, “I love X Factor and have watched the series religiously since it started, so obviously I’m hugely excited to be joining the show. Music is my job and my passion and I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent we can find and nurture this year. I can’t wait for Judges Houses in Oldham!” 

     

    Fernandez-Versini returns to the panel for her fifth series, after last year taking Lauren Platt all the way to the semi-finals. She was previously a judge on The X Factor from series five to series seven, securing victory in 2008 with Alexandra Burke and 2009 with Joe McElderry. 

     

    Fernandez-Versini said, “I haven’t been as excited about an X Factor season since I first became a judge. The addition of Rita and Grimmy along with some interesting changes we’ve made to the format has refocused us to do what we do best, finding talent and making stars. I cannot wait to get started!” 

     

    Cowell, who last year mentored the winning act, Ben Haenow, as well as the runner up Fleur East, said, “It’s taken a while! But I am very happy to be able to confirm our line-up of judges for The X Factor this year. The combination of Nick, Cheryl and Rita is going to be a lot of fun! They all bring a lot of enthusiasm and passion for music to the show. I have a feeling I am in for a bit of a rough time but sometimes you have to embrace the craziness and now, with luck, we hope to find a star.” 

     

    ITV director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell added, “We’re delighted that Cheryl is returning to the show with Simon and we welcome Rita and Nick on board. Nick will bring his unique perspective and extensive musical knowledge to this year’s X Factor panel, while in Cheryl and Rita we have two of the UK’s most successful female recording artists.” 

     

    FremantleMedia UK acting CEO Richard Holloway said, “Rita and Nick are brilliant additions to the panel. Nick began his career in the music business and is hugely passionate about finding and breaking new talent, while Rita knows what it takes to be a successful artist. Alongside the welcome return of Cheryl and Simon, we have a formidable judging panel for what is shaping up to be quite the series.” 

     

    The new panel is part of a number of changes to this year’s series of The X Factor, which also include the brand new hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs. The new series will see the auditions move out of the rooms and straight in to the arenas, with hopefuls having to perform in front of an arena audience from the start in the hope of making it through to the next stage. Further changes will be announced in due course. 

     

    The X Factor returns to ITV in autumn this year and applications for the new series are open now.

  • FremantleMedia sees a ground-breaking sale of formats to Asia

    FremantleMedia sees a ground-breaking sale of formats to Asia

    CANNES: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has announced that it has sold a ground-breaking 25 formats to seven different Asian markets within the last year. FMI has closed two deals every month since taking over responsibility for format sales in the territory in 2013.
     
    The breadth of formats represented by the deals range from talent shows to gameshows, dating and fashion formats. The latest deal sees the world record-breaking Got Talent franchise, which is co-owned and produced by Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia, sold to Laos broadcaster LNTV3. It was concluded by FMI’s VP international distribution & home entertainment Haryaty Rahman.
     
    Since taking over responsibility for local format sales 12 months ago, Rahman has been the architect of a range of deals that has ensured that Got Talent, Idols and The X Factor in Myanmar and Cambodia, became the first ever international talent or singing formats to have entered these markets. She has also successfully worked with broadcasters in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan to bring Asian audiences some of the world’s best-loved titles like Hole in the Wall, Family Feud, Total Blackout, Project Runway, The Noise and Take Me Out.
     
    Rahman said, “We’re very proud to have sold the equivalent of two formats every month over the last year. It’s a ground-breaking feat and testament to the quality and desirability of FremantleMedia’s formats. It’s a huge advantage that we are based over here as it means we completely understand the requirements of local audiences and broadcasters, allowing us to match their needs with the breadth of titles we have in our catalogue to create the perfect fit.”

  • FremantleMedia International completes momentous multi-year, multi-format deal with MBC Group

    FremantleMedia International completes momentous multi-year, multi-format deal with MBC Group

    MUMBAI – FremantleMedia International has completed a landmark multi-year deal with pan-Arab media conglomerate, MBC Group. The agreement will see the renewal of both the pan-Arab versions of Idol and Got Talent for three more seasons. In addition, MBC Group has taken the pan-Arab format rights to the Syco TV which created the hit entertainment format, The X Factor and the globally renowned fashion competition, Project Runway. These two shows will also be commissioned for three seasons each.

     

    FremantleMedia International SVP Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe Anahita Kheder said: “We are immensely proud to be the first company to have completed a deal of this magnitude with MBC Group. Together we have already launched the very successful pan-Arab versions of Arabs Got Talent and Arab Idol; both of which were propelled onto the international press stage. The Middle East region has evolved a great deal in recent years with audiences wanting something a little special, and with the introduction of The X Factor and Project Runway, MBC will deliver just that. We are enormously excited to continue our partnership with MBC to introduce more future audience favorites to its enormous Middle Eastern reach.”

     

    MBC Group TV director Ali Jaber said: “MBC is always keen on delivering premium content coupled with the best TV productions in the MENA region. With the introduction of global formats, such as Idol and Got Talent, amongst others, a couple of years ago, they soon became top-rated TV shows and have created unprecedented engagement with the audiences on multi-platforms.” Jaber added: “It only makes sense that we renew our contracts with FremantleMedia – thus keeping the momentum of these formats at its peak.

     

    We are delighted with this partnership that helps to bring the best TV global practices to our region while allowing our own creative teams to excel, deliver and succeed.”

     

    Arab Idol became immensely popular in 2013 with Mohammed Assaf, a former wedding singer from Gaza, winning the competition in the second season. The MENA region united as Assaf’s finale performance generated viewership over five times higher than the broadcaster average. The Idol format, co-owned by FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, has now been produced in 51 territories worldwide.

     
    Arabs Got Talent’s third season made international headlines when Syrian dancing troupe, SIMA, was declared the winner in the competition. The Arabic version of the format became MBC4’s number one show in both 2012 and 2013 consecutively. Co-owned by Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia, the global Got Talent phenomenon officially became the Guinness World Records’ most successful reality TV format worldwide in April this year and has now been commissioned in 65 territories worldwide.

     

    MBC’s remarkable list of programs will be enhanced by the addition of the international singing competition, The X Factor for the very first time. The pan-Arab version will take the format to 51 territories internationally. While the format is owned and created by The Syco Entertainment, it is also co-produced and licensed by FremantleMedia worldwide. Since the launch of The X Factor UK in 2004, the British-born TV show has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth. The X Factor format has discovered and launched more international break-out artists than any other singing competition show, with more than 160 million record sales by The X Factor artists globally.

     
    The fashion reality series, Project Runway on MBC will also showcase its first pan Arab version. The program gives aspiring fashion designers the chance of a lifetime as they compete through a string of demanding challenges to have their collection shown at a major catwalk show. The winner also gets featured in a leading fashion magazine. The Weinstein Company owned, Project Runway has become the most successful fashion format worldwide having been produced in 23 territories including the US, Australia, Canada, Latin America and the UK.

     

  • The X Factor UK is a global sensation

    The X Factor UK is a global sensation

    MUMBAI: Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia International (FMI) today announced an impressive array of sales for the UK version of The X Factor. Created and owned by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and co-produced by Syco and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK), The X Factor UK has hit global shores for the very first time and has already sold to an impressive 147 territories worldwide.

     
    Networks from all corners of the world, including AXS (US), MNET (pan-regional Africa), RTL CBS Asia Entertainment (pan-regional Asia) andSony Pictures Television Networks (pan-regional Latin America) have taken Britain’s most talked about entertainment show to their local audiences.
     

    Other broadcasters to snap up the hit show include DR (Denmark), TV3 (Ireland), MTV3 (Finland), 365 Media (Iceland), Sky (Italy), Upstar (Africa) , PBS (Malta), TV2 (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Viacom 18 (Sub-continental India), MediaCorp (Singapore), Workpoint TV (Thailand), Chek (Canada), YES TV (Canada), Hotvision (Israel), Fox International (Russia & Poland) CNC3 (Trinidad), TV Channel 17 (Suriname) and Youku Tudou (China).

     
    The X Factor UK has remained a cultural and ratings phenomenon in the UK for the past decade and has launched more international superstar careers than any other TV show, including multi-million selling global artists One Direction, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and Ella Henderson. The current season of The X Factor UK had its highest rating launch since season 8 with 10.7 million viewers tuning in to watch the show. The audience share was 104% above ITV1’s prime time average and the series is currently consolidating at almost 10 million viewers per episode, making it – yet again – one of the UK’s most popular shows.

     
    Simon Cowell said: “The UK X Factor was the original version of the show and over the last decade it has set the benchmark all over the world for finding and launching international superstars. These shows were created to find artists like One Direction, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Little Mix and Ella Henderson who go on to sell millions of records. I’m delighted the UK show is being watched all over the world – as well as there being so many fantastic local versions of X Factor as well.”

     
    Bob McCourt, Acting CEO, FremantleMedia International said: “The X Factor UK has been one of the most successful entertainment shows in the UK for a decade. Each year the series continues to pull in the big audiences and creates an incredible buzz. Our international clients haverecognised this success and sales have been coming in thick and fast since we launched the show at MIPTV. We are hugely pleased to be working with these broadcasters to bring this staple of the UK’s autumn schedule to the rest of the world.”

     
    George Levendis, Head of International, Syco Entertainment said:“The X Factor UK has millions of fans across the globe who have followed our incredible judges, contestants performances and the excitement of our show through social media & digital platforms.  For the first time we are now delivering the show to broadcasters globally and audiences can enjoy our flagship production in its entirety following our contestants as they take what could be their first steps to superstardom. We are thrilled to be working with our broadcast partners globally.”

     
    The X Factor is a global hit entertainment format and is now produced locally in 51 territories worldwide. Since the launch of The X Factor UK in 2004, the British-born TV show has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth. The X Factor format has discovered and launched more international break-out artists than any other singing competition show, with more than 180 million record sales by The X Factor artists globally.

     
    The latest season of The X Factor UK has seen Simon Cowell make a celebrated return to once again lead the judging panel on the original UK version of the hit TV show. In a bid to find the next big singing sensation, Simon is joined by a new judging panel line-up including former Spice Girl Mel B, renowned music manager Louis Walsh and returning judge pop princess Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. The judges are joined by award-winning broadcaster and presenter Dermot O’Leary, who is on hand to preside over all of the tears, joy and drama, while providing support to the aspiring stars.

     
    The X Factor UK contestants compete in two sets of audition rounds taking place across the UK in Manchester, London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. In the initial closed room auditions, contestants find themselves face-to-face with the judges for the first time. If they impress the panel and receive three or more “yes” votes, they will move on to perform in a packed arena in front of a live audience.

     

  • 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!

  • BBC leads the Bafta list of television nominations

    BBC leads the Bafta list of television nominations

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster, the BBC led the British Academy Television Awards nominations announced by the British Academy of Film and Television (Bafta). The awards will be presented on 7 May at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

    In the drama serial category, BBC’s Bleak House is up against its own Fingersmith, Funland and To the Ends of the Earth.

    The single drama nominations went to The Government Inspector (Mentorn Productions/Channel 4), Much Ado About Nothing (BBC/BBC1), The Queen’s Sister (Touchpaper Productions/Channel 4) and Red Dust (BBC Films/Distant Horizon/Videovision Entertainment/Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa/BBC2).

    The BBC’s business based reality show The Apprentice has been nominated in the features category, alongside Dragon’s Den and Top Gear and Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.

    In the entertainment category the nominees are Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Have I Got News For You, Strictly Come Dancing: The Grand Final and The X Factor.

    The nominees for best actress are Gillian Anderson for Bleak House, Lucy Cohu for The Queen’s Sister, Anne-Marie Duff for Shameless and Anna Maxwell Martin for Bleak House. And, competing for best actor are Bernard Hill for A Very Social Secretary Denis Lawson for Bleak House, Mark Rylance for The Government Inspector and Rufus Sewell in a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

  • FremantleMedia launches ‘The X Factor’ in the Middle East

    FremantleMedia launches ‘The X Factor’ in the Middle East

    MUMBAI: Format creator and production firm FremantleMedia has announced that it is launching a local version of The X Factor in the Middle East.

    The X Factor, XSeer Al Najah (The X Factor, The Essence of Success) will be produced by Lebanese production company Studiovision and will premiere on 26 March on music channel Rotana TV, culminating in the grand finale on 4 June.

    The 14 episode series will be broadcast in 22 Arabic speaking countries. Global interactive digital broadcaster Cellcast will handle telephony and will be responsible for mobile content across all 22 countries.

    FremantleMedia regional manager, Middle East and North Africa Isabelle Garcia said, “We are really excited about bringing this format to the Middle East. Not only do we have fantastic judges with great backgrounds but also the acts coming forward are something the Arabian public has never seen before.”

    FremantleMedia adds that thousands of hopefuls with dreams of becoming the next Arabic singing sensation have turned up to perform at auditions in The Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt, Dubai and Tunisia. Judging the talent are Michel Elefteriades, owner of the celebrated Music Hall in Beirut; Nelly from Egypt, a performer in both the acting and singing fields and Khaled El Sheikh, a Bahraini producer and composer. Following in the footsteps of the UK production, the three categories will comprise younger and older contestants and groups.

    The X Factor has been broadcast in five territories to date: the UK, Belgium, Colombia, Australia and Russia. In the UK, series two of The X Factor attracted audiences of up to 10 million and was voted the most popular entertainment programme of 2005 at the National Television Awards. The second series achieves shares of up to 60 per cent for all individuals, 91 per cent above the broadcaster’s primetime average.