Mediaworks Gives Green Light to ‘The X Factor NZ

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Friday 14 September, 2012

Mediaworks Gives Green Light to ‘The X Factor NZ’ - World’s Biggest Entertainment Show Coming to TV3 In 2013

The wait is over! The first local version of global television phenomenon The X Factor is coming to TV3 in 2013.

Put on the global map by music mogul Simon Cowell, The X Factor is the world’s largest music show and pits contestants against each other in the search for a person or group to sign a recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand.

Now, New Zealanders will have the chance to put their singing talent to the test. From Invercargill to Kaitaia, The X Factor NZ will travel the length and breadth of the country, with one goal - to discover the next great New Zealand recording artist.

Co-executive producer Andrew Szusterman says TV3 is thrilled to be bringing The X Factor format to New Zealand.

“For the viewers, this is the biggest television event New Zealand has seen, for contestants, it’s a competition that changes lives and launches careers,” he says.

From the busker plying their trade on a street corner, to the muso playing a weekly gig at their local tavern, and the kid singing into their hairbrush, The X Factor NZ will showcase the brightest upcoming singing talent from all over the country, as well as some who may be best advised to save their performances for private.

“The X Factor NZ combines the best talent show format with an intensely local flavour, and combine that with the expertise of record company partner Sony Music, plus the MediaWorks’ stable of radio stations, we’re confident that we can bring the biggest music entertainment programme to New Zealand screens.”

The winner of The X Factor NZ will be signed to Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand. Managing Director Kim Boshier says The X Factor is recognized throughout the music industry as a legitimate and respected way to find talent.

“In the last three or four years some of the greatest recording artists on our roster have come from the X Factor format and we’re excited to finally have the format in New Zealand,” she says.

Since its first UK series in 2004, The X Factor has established itself as the world’s leading singing talent search – successfully launching in over 20 territories, and discovering international recording stars including Leona Lewis, Reece Mastin and One Direction.

The X Factor NZ is open to singers of aged 14 and up – either solo performers or groups. Once through the final audition process, the four judges will take on mentoring roles, as the performers are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups.

Kiwi audiences have embraced The X Factor format with American and Australian versions among TV3’s highest rating international programmes. The second season of The X Factor USA (starring creator Simon Cowell) premiered last night on TV3, hot off the satellite, screening in New Zealand within hours of its Stateside broadcast.

The X Factor is a FremantleMedia owned format and will be co-produced by MediaWorks and FremantleMedia Australia. NZ on Air will be a minority funder in the programme.

Register at TV3.co.nz/xfactornz to be the first to receive information on The X Factor NZ (including how to enter) or join the conversation at facebook.com/xfactornz.

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MediaWorks NZ Limited (website: www.mediaworks.co.nz) is New Zealand’s leading private sector broadcast and online media company. Through its specialist divisions – MediaWorks TV, MediaWorks Radio and MediaWorks Interactive, it owns and operates the TV3 and FOUR television networks, national radio brands The Edge, The Rock, MORE FM, Kiwi FM, RadioLIVE, LiveSPORT, The Sound, The Breeze, George FM and Mai FM, plus several local radio stations, and a family of websites.

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