afaqs! news bureau
Media

UK's top-rated show, Got Talent, to be in India soon

The show, which is being readied for an April launch, has been conceptualised by FremantleMedia and is already a big hit in several other countries

After two consecutive Endemol shows, which consolidated its position, Colors is now betting on the UK FremantleMedia's format, Got Talent. The format was created by Simon Cowell, the much-feared judge of American Idol, FremantleMedia's singing reality show. The Indian version of Got Talent will be called India's Got Talent and will be produced by Synergy Adlabs.

The talent hunt will be spread across geographies and aims to unearth interesting talent, ranging from Dandiya to 'shayari' and 'nautanki' to Lavani. “It's an undertaking to discover talent from the whole of India. While we are not making many changes in the format, the content will be local and the talents quintessentially Indian,” Patrick Schult, managing director, FremantleMedia Asia, tells afaqs!

UK's top-rated show, Got Talent, to be in India soon
“This is a classic variety show that will entertain all demographics,” he says, referring to the show's success in other countries. The show has been adapted in the US, the UK, Germany, France and Australia. Got Talent was the highest rated show in the UK in 2008, with a viewer base of 14 million. This is the format’s first foray in Asia.

FremantleMedia has tasted success in India with Indian Idol. Schult says, “India is not a peculiar market like Japan any more. India watches what other countries watch. That explains the traffic of new formats into the country.”

Ashvini Yardi, programming head, Colors, says, “India has such rich and vibrant talent that is still to be explored and tapped. For the first time ever, India will witness a show in which only talent matters. It is open to any person of any age and gender, who possesses the talent to entertain.”

The auditions for the show will begin next month at set venues across India. The selected candidates will then compete in the semi-finals, followed by the final round, in which the winner can take away Rs 1 crore. India’s Got Talent will be a compact series and will not run as long as other reality shows. Colors plans to launch the show in April.

Have news to share? Write to us atnewsteam@afaqs.com