KUALA LUMPUR : Singapore broadcaster MediaCorp has scored a
first by franchising its 'Project SuperStar' singing competition to
Malaysian company 8TV.
Winners of Singapore's Project Superstar were present to act as
ambassadors for MediaCorp's new foray.
Auditions for the ‘Malaysian Project SuperStar’ will start in
Johor, Penang and Kuala Lumpur early December with the competition
kicking off in February.
After acquiring several international programme franchises in the
past, MediaCorp's move to license its own programme is
significant.
"Given our huge talent base and the years of experience in
production, we have the capability to develop our own format. And
with the successful ones, there will be opportunities to license
them overseas," said Chang Long Jong, deputy group CEO (TV) at
MediaCorp.
"8TV wants to be the No. 1 channel in Malaysia and I think a
programme like 'Project SuperStar' is perfect for that. Also we
believe that the talents in Malaysia, especially those who sing in
Cantonese and Mandarin are amazing," said Ahmad Izam Omar, COO of
8TV.
MediaCorp Studios is not stopping after bringing 'Project
SuperStar' into Malaysia. It is hoping to reach out to the region
at the same time.
They are talking now to partners in Vietnam and China and in the
near future, there could even be an 'Asia Project SuperStar'
winner.
- CNA /ls