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Idols compete on the global stage to become world's favourite pop superstar

London, November 13 2003

FremantleMedia and 19TV have confirmed the production of World Idol, the spectacular search to find the ultimate world pop superstar. The two companies have successfully rolled-out their smash-hit entertainment format Idols - the televised search for a new solo pop idol - to over 20 countries around the world. Now, in an unmissable two-part special, the winners from completed first series in 11 countries will step up on to the world stage and battle it out to be crowned the planet’s biggest pop sensation! The international competition will be staged in London and broadcast to participating countries, where viewers will collectively vote to decide the overall winner. The first part of the special will be transmitted at the end of December, while the thrilling final results show will be staged over the New Year period.

Since it premiered as Pop Idol on ITV in the UK in October 2001, the Idols format has taken nations by storm, broken ratings records and scooped numerous industry awards. This includes Europe’s top television award, the Rose d’Or 2002 (the Golden Rose of Montreux) for the original UK production, which was produced by Thames and 19TV. The US version, American Idol, was also recently nominated for five prime-time Emmy awards. Idols has created major new recording artists of the winners and, in many cases, the runners-up who between them have notched up phenomenal album and singles sales, and numerous number one chart hits. The format was conceived by Simon Fuller of 19TV.

World Idol will be broadcast over two evenings on channels that have completed first series. The two-part special will also be distributed to other countries by Fremantle International Distribution, the distribution division of FremantleMedia. The first evening will feature live performances from each of the 11 Idols contesting the world crown, with the results being announced on the second evening. Local transmission times and dates for the first part of the special will vary, while the final results show will be broadcast during the New Year holiday period. The channels and contestants are as follows:

Original series title, broadcaster, winner

Pop Idol, UK - ITV, Will Young

Idols, South Africa - M-NET, Heinz Winckler

Idol, Poland - Polsat, Alicja Janosz

American Idol, USA - Fox, Kelly Clarkson

Idols, Netherlands - RTL4, Jamai Loman

Deutschland sucht den Superstar - RTL, Alexander Klaws,

Idol, Norway - TV2, Kurt Nilsen

SuperStar, Pan-Arabic region - FutureTV, Lebanon, Diana Karazon

Idool, Belgium - VTM, Peter Evrard

Canadian Idol, Canada - CTV, Ryan Malcolm

Australian Idol, Australia - Network 10, winner announced, 19 November 2003

The international contest will include localised segments, with various series one presenters hosting and linking the participating countries’ broadcasts from London. A representative from each country’s judging panel will also sit on an international jury. With so many different personalities, viewers can look forward to sharp comment, encouragement and high emotion from the judges.

Alan Boyd, President of Worldwide Entertainment, FremantleMedia Production, comments: “We are thrilled to announce the production of what promises to be a great global television event. All of the contestants have proved themselves worthy winners in their own countries, and this provides an amazing opportunity for viewers worldwide to see the range of incredible talent that Idols has uncovered around the world.

“The idea for a worldwide Idols competition was conceived some time ago, and for FremantleMedia and 19TV to now be able to realise this project, working with all of our broadcast partners, is absolutely fantastic. With our network of creative teams and production companies around the world, FremantleMedia is uniquely placed to deliver such a complex and in many respects unprecedented event.”

Simon Fuller of 19 added: “When I dreamt up the idea of Pop Idol, I always saw it is a global concept, and so I'm delighted to see World Idol being made here in London. The last two years have been fantastic and it is incredibly satisfying to see a British TV idea being so successful on a global stage.”