This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Media
Universal partners with latest telly talent show franchise
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 20 January 2011
Universal Music has entered into a deal with the Talpa Media Group regarding the telly company’s ‘The Voice Of’ venture, a new ‘Idol’ style TV talent show franchise that has proven a hit in Holland and which is set to launch in the US this Spring on NBC. Universal will release music by finalists on the ‘Voice Of’ show, and provide other ‘artist services’ to help exploit the commercial potential on the talent competition.
Differences between the ‘Voice Of’ franchise and other rival telly talent shows include that contenders are originally selected on voice alone, with judges only hearing and not seeing the wannabes who audition, and the fact that judges are singers themselves who are seen on screen providing voice coaching to their protégés, and who occasionally duet with them.
Confirming the deal with Universal, the owner of Talpa Media, John de Mol, told CMU yesterday: “I am convinced that the US version of this format, ‘The Voice’, will be a great instrument in discovering genuine and amazing new singing talent in the biggest entertainment market in the world. It’s fantastic to have broadcaster NBC on our side in the US, but Universal Music makes the picture complete”.
Universal top cheese Lucian Grainge added: “Innovation breeds success, and in television, John de Mol’s track record is second to none. He evidently has another winner with ‘The Voice Of’ format, and we’re proud to be partners with Talpa in finding some of tomorrow’s most exciting new singers”.
Of course, until recently Sony Music had the exclusive album releasing rights for the Western world’s two biggest telly talent franchises, the ‘Idol’ shows and ‘X-Factor’, though the former also moved to Universal last year.
