A nation-wide search for a Canadian solo superstar is on. CTV, together with FremantleMedia / 19TV, announced today it will develop, produce and broadcast “CANADIAN IDOL,” a new series that will make its debut on CTV in 2003. The deal was completed at MIPCOM in Cannes, France last week.
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January 17th Update:
We receive a lot of visitors requesting or searchning how they can audition for the Canadian Idol series that will air in 2003. CTV has yet announced where and when those auditions will take place, when the show will premiere or in what timeslot it will be placed. Channel Canada will keep you posted on any developements on this matter. Stay tuned to our main page for upcoming information.
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The completely Canadian series will be based on its smash-hit cousin, “American Idol: The Search for a Superstar,” which captured the hearts of millions of North Americans last summer and made an overnight sensation of 20-year old Texan, Kelly Clarkson. Canadians made the September 4 finale of “American Idol” the most watched show of the summer when 2.1 million viewers witnessed the crowning moment for Ms. Clarkson.
Susanne Boyce, President, Programming, and Chair of the Media Group, CTV, says, “Canada has a rich history when it comes to music. Our musical success stories, both nationally and internationally, are truly remarkable. I can’t wait to see the finalists for Canadian Idol. CTV is proud to bring the next Canadian superstar to the world.”
Plans are underway that will coordinate auditions in several major cities across Canada. In what is expected to be a sea of competition, thousands of would-be-solo sensations will be judged on their talent, ability and style and eventually whittled down to 50 and then just 10 hopefuls, each of whom will perform live before a studio audience. The rest is up to the Canadian viewing audience who will, during each broadcast, vote via phone for their favourite contestant – the contestant to poll the least votes each week will be eliminated. At stake for the winner is a major recording contract and guaranteed stardom.
Complete details of the series, its hosts and judges, including details of the nation-wide search for a superstar will be unveiled shortlyCTV is gearing up to broadcast Season 2 of “American Idol” in advance of its “Canadian Idol” broadcast.
“American Idol” is based on FremantleMedia and 19TV’s smash-hit international format “Idols” which premiered as “Pop Idol” in the UK last year. That series went on to win the “2002 Rose d’Or” (Golden Rose of Montreux), Europe’s top television award. Since then, “Pop Idol” winner Will Young, and runners-up Gareth Gates and Darius Danesh, have all charted Number One in the UK with Young posting a new world-record for the fastest selling debut single of all time. The show has also spun out to South Africa television (winner Heinz Winckler saw his debut single go platinum within a few weeks of its launch) Poland (winner Alicja Janosz has become a national star) and of course the United States where winner Kelly Clarkson has already achieved Number One status in the Billboard hot 100 charts.
Jane Rimer, Senior Vice President, Programming & Development, FremantleMedia North America, commented: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with CTV to bring a format which has proved so successful in other territories, to Canada. CTV viewers have already had a taster of this international television phenomenon, with the airing of the final episodes of American Idol on the channel. This will no doubt greatly heighten interest in and excitement around the Canadian version of the show, which is likely to provide equally compelling viewing.” FremantleMedia has worked with CTV on a number of drama productions in the past, and to now join forces on a such a huge reality entertainment show is extremely exciting.”
CTV, Canada’s largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It boasts the number-one national newscast, “CTV News With Lloyd Robertson”, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTV owns 27 conventional television stations across Canada and has interests in 15 specialty channels, including the number-one Canadian specialty channel, TSN. CTV is owned by Bell Globemedia, Canada’s premier multi-media company. More information about CTV may be found on the company Web site at www.ctv.ca.
FremantleMedia, formerly known as Pearson Television, is one of the largest international producers of entertainment programmes in the world, producing more than 260 programmes in over 39 territories a year. The company’s international distribution division distributes more than 19,000 hours of programmes to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the content business production arm of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, with interests in 23 television channels and 14 radio stations in nine European countries. RTL Group is part of Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world’s major media markets.