The Nine Network is negotiating a one-year option for Australian format rights to the hot new international talent show Rising Star.
The Israeli-created series enables viewers to vote on the efforts of singers in real time as they perform behind a screen, giving them immediate feedback. When a performer secures 70% of the viewers’ and judges’ votes, the screen rises and he or she is revealed.
The show was created by Tedy Productions for Keshet Broadcasting’s Channel 2 in Israel and drew a 46% audience share when it premiered last September. The season finale peaked with a 58% share.
The Keshet Media Group has sold the rights to produce local versions to 25 territories including the UK’s ITV network, ABC in the US and broadcasters in Germany, France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Russia, Scandinavia and Hungary. It’s the fastest-selling talent format on record, according to TV ratings consultancy The WIT.
If Nine commissions a series, it will be produced by Keshet Australia, a joint venture between Keshet International and Racat, the production group owned by David Haslingden, a former president and chief operating officer of Fox Networks Group. Racat encompasses NHNZ, Australia’s Northern Pictures and Singapore’s Beach House Productions.
Haslingden is also non-executive chairman of Nine Entertainment Co. Alan Harris, a former head of production at Atlantic Film Group, joined Keshet Australia last year as head of scripted.
The one-year option gives Nine time to consider whether to adapt the format here while keeping the property away from Network Ten and a less likely suitor in Seven.
Keshet created and produced the TV drama Prisoners of War, which was remade as the Emmy award-winning Homeland.
The third series of Shine Australia's The Voice premieres on Nine on Sunday May 4. The network recently decided not to renew FremantleMedia's Australia Got Talent.