Now Rock On with Indian Idol 4
Yeh style, Yeh music,
Yeh world humara hain!
Starting Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Only on Sony Entertainment Television
Mumbai, September 11, 2008: After creating ripples in the Indian television industry with its successful run of three seasons, Indian Idol the hugely popular adaptation of the blockbuster `Pop Idol` format is back with its fourth season. The first episode of Indian Idol 4 hits the tube on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9.00 pm exclusively on Sony Entertainment Television. The fourth season of this iconic show, promises to bring alive the wave of enthusiasm among the youth and once again create a record in the history of television viewership.
Indian Idol provides a platform for the young Indians who dare to dream, has the ability to chase them and bring them to life. From being a path breaking show on Indian television in Season 1 to creating youth icons and a band in the last season, Indian Idol has touched the zenith of reality television.
The show format of Indian Idol does not limit itself to scanning only singing talent but also looks out for an overall `performer`. The show intends to give the youth of today their `own icon`; an individual who in addition to being a talented singer is also someone the youth can relate to... be it attitude, style, desire to win and fight for the ultimate stardom. The show combines drama and reality with music, humour, thrill and glamour making it undoubtedly the ultimate `made for television` show. The last three seasons of the show experienced a collage of emotions, raising levels of viewer frenzy and excitement coupled with the contestants` tears and joys, heartbreak and jubilation, learnings and achievements.
While the show will continue to enthrall the viewers across the country, it will also address the aspirations of "Young India" this season. It is all about friendship, desire to stand out, spontaneity, personality, confidence, giving back to the society and more importantly `a need to belong` these are captured in the line "Yeh style, Yeh music, Yeh world humara hain! , It shoud be "hai!".
Indian Idol 4 brings back to the viewers the loveable twosome from the last season - Deepali and Chang, who stole million hearts during their tryst with the coveted title! This dynamic duo returns to the stage as the charming new hosts for the audition phase. The first phase of audition episodes will showcase the emotions and eccentricities of contestants as they come to try their luck and embrace their dreams momentarily... from singing to melodrama... the show unplugs the spirit and the emotional saga of the youth of the nation.
This season also introduces two new jury members - the stunning and gorgeous Sonali Bendre and the well renowned Sufi singer Kailash Kher who will join music director Annu Malek and lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar to complete the panel of jury. Television`s heart-throb and guardian angel of the contestants,Hussain Kuwajerwala is back with his second innings to host Indian Idol 4.
"Indian Idol is a true celebration of young talent. Over the past three seasons, the show has not only broken its own viewership and voting response records but more importantly it has captured the imagination of the youth of the country and come to become the ultimate TV brand for Young India. It remains the only show, where an ordinary Indian can fulfill his dream and aspiration of achieving an extra-ordinary position. As the show gets bigger & better, it will not only showcase the talent of the participants, but also showcase their camaraderie. Competition is a must, but this will be interspersed with friendship and fun too!" said Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television.
Said Niret Alva, Chairman of Miditech Private Limited, the producer of the show: "There`s no show quite like Indian Idol, and this year it gets even bigger and better. The talent bar has been raised, our new anchors are refreshingly improvisational, there is tantalizing chemistry between our two new judges and the huge number of contestants wanting to audition proved that there is no other show like Indian Idol which takes the young aspirants on a roller coaster ride to fame and fortune. The Idol auditions moved extensively from smaller towns to big metros in India, from England to Dubai on a quest to reach out to the undiscovered raw talent who could evolve and grow with the show. The quality of contestants who have auditioned reiterates that there is no other reality show that offers such a promising platform to the youth."
Indian Idol 4 is being launched with robust marketing initiatives, a 360 degrees integrated communication, all of which will roll out to drive the brand experience across gully, nukkad, campuses, malls, coffee shops and youth hang-outs across 16 cities and towns in India. City concerts will follow with live performances by the top 12 contestants, which offers the viewers an opportunity to interact with their Idols and vice versa.
A production of such magnitude warrants only the best in the industry to make it happen. Sony Entertainment Television is once again partnering with one of the country`s leading production houses - Miditech Private Limited, the international company - Fremantle Media who are the license holders to the format Indian Idol. Their expertise in producing successful, top quality format shows along with the unparalleled success of Indian Idol 1, 2 & 3in the past three yearswill ensure that this year too Indian Idol is the slickest and most magnificent production on Indian television bringing in the best talent that our country has to offer.
This year a host of experts will groom the Indian Idol aspirants. Mickey Mehta, the well-known health & fitness expert will take care of the physical fitness of the Indian Idol 4 contestants. His training will include yoga & meditation among others.
Indian Idol Website: www.Indianidol.sify.com will be first of its kind micro site hosted by Sify on behalf of SET. It will be a complete website and drive the Indian Idol 4 brand experience online. It will have features like blogs, forums, feedback board, post your video, live chats, profile of contestant, community, games, user generated content along with regular features like video, unseen clips, promotional material, wall papers, interviews etc.
Partners: The television partner is IBN 7 & Radio Mirchi the radio partner.
Tune in to catch the journey of today`s youth, their trials and
triumphs, week on week, on
Indian Idol- 4
Every Friday & Saturday at 9.00 pm
Only on Sony Entertainment Television
About `Idols`
The international `Idols` format was conceived in the United Kingdom by Simon Fuller's company 19TV and leading global Production Company, Fremantle Media. Produced by Thames and 19TV, the format premiered on the UK`s ITV in 2001 as `Pop Idol` and has been rolled out across 28 countries to date with an overwhelming response leading to national frenzy and a massive ratings success. In the USA alone, American Idol 4 regularly gained audiences of over 30 million viewers and an incredible 65 million phone votes were recorded for the final episode. The winner of the 4th series of American Idol- Carrie Underwood stood head and shoulders above more than 100,000 contestants as the best undiscovered voice in America and with a new single rocketing up the charts and a debut album on the way, Carrie joins Kelly, Ruben and Fantasia as American Idol-made chart toppers. In the UK, `Pop Idol 2` outperformed the award-winning premiere series with the final episode, breaking voting records with in excess of 10 million votes recorded.
About Fremantle Media
Fremantle Media is one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. International drama programmes include Germany`s top rated serial drama, Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten (Good Times Bad Times), the UK`s most successful police drama, The Bill, and Australia`s top soap, Neighbours. Entertainment and factual entertainment successes range from the award winning international format, Idols, broadcast as prime time show, American Idol, on FOX in the US, to the grime busting format, How Clean is Your House? and factual entertainment series starring celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, Jamie`s Kitchen. Fremantle Media has production offices in over 20 countries worldwide, providing local sales and production support for its international TV brands such as Idols and the world`s longest running game show, The Price is Right. The company`s licensing operation, Fremantle Media Licensing Worldwide, exploits Fremantle Media many strong brands across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. Fremantle International Distribution, the company`s international distribution division licenses over 19,000 hours of programming to 150 countries worldwide including the outrageous antics of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, moving drama, The Return, starring Julie Walters, landmark documentary, The World at War and the hugely popular special, Britney Spears: In the Zone. Fremantle Media is the content arm of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company.
About Miditech Pvt. Ltd
Miditech is one of Asia's leading independent production companies that create a wide range of programming. From award winning documentaries to international format game shows, Miditech has earned a reputation for producing programs to meet the exacting standards of international broadcasters with over 400 hours of programming in 2005-2006. Till about 3 years ago, Miditech focused almost entirely on documentaries and factual programming. It built a formidable reputation in these genres with hit shows like 'Living on the Edge', India's first environment series in 1996. 'Wheels' - a weekly auto show, 'The Great Escape', 'Off the Beaten Path' and 'The Real India Travel Show' helped make Miditech the largest producer of travel content in India. Then 'Hospital', 'Commando' and 'R.A.A.A.H.' established it firmly as a market leader in the fledgling 'reality' space on Indian television. In 2003 Miditech made an aggressive foray into the entertainment and fiction space with hit shows like 'Saara Aakash', 'Roadies', and 'India Ka Sabse Favourite', an interactive show where the nation voted each week for its favorite Bollywood stars. And there were many more. When it comes to adapting and localizing International formats for the Indian market, Miditech is clearly the leader. Miditech first produced 'Khelo Number Khelo' and 'Kaarvaan Kismat Ka' two game show formats developed by Zeal Television in the United Kingdom, followed that up with 'Indian Idol' the local version of the international hit show 'Pop Idol'; 'Dance Dance', the local version of the Australian show 'Strictly Dancing'; 'Fame Gurukul', based on 'Fame Academy'; the telenovella 'Complices Al Rescate', which became a daily kids soap called 'Hum 2 Hain Na'; 'Play House Disney' more recently the long running hit pre-school show 'Sesame Street' as 'Galli Galli Sim Sim' for telecast on the Turner Network and Doordarshan. Miditech is promoted by the Alva Brothers - Niret and Nikhil, who own 75% of the company with the other 25% held by ICICI Venture the largest private equity and venture capital Management Company in India with aggregate funds under management in excess of USD 650 mn. Over the years Miditech has won many national and international awards. Amongst them are the 'Green Oscar' or the 'Panda', Asian Television Awards Indian Telly Awards, Indian Academy Awards, The Silver Tree, The Pinnacle, etc.
About Sony Entertainment Television:
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) backs Multi Screen Media Private Limited, which is among the region's leading television channel operators. It comprises of Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India`s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India`s premium movies and special events channel, SAB; a Hindi channel focusing on entertaining modern India; PIX, a channel which airs Hollywood movie product.
Since its launch in October 1995, SET has created significant marquee properties through an impressive lineup of programs ranging from the light hearted to the supernatural, exploring various genres complimented by an explosive mix of glamorous events and Bollywood blockbusters. Known for its innovative concepts and exciting formats, SET reaches more than 42 million households in India. Additionally, SET is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Malaysia. In total, SET influences over 300 million viewers in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and South Asian Diaspora worldwide.
Sony Entertainment Television is a part the network of channels distributed by TheOneAlliance - a joint venture between Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd. and Discovery Communications India. Other channels in TheOneAlliance network include MAX, MTV, VH1, NICK, Discovery, Discovery Travel & Living, PIX, Animal Planet, AXN, ANIMAX, NDTV 24X7, NDTV India, NDTV Profit, Headlines Today, Aaj Tak and Tez.
For further information on Sony Entertainment Television, please log onto http://www.setindia.com
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