MUMBAI: It’s social TV on a whole new level. CTV announced today it has acquired the exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to the much buzzed-about and sought-after new revolutionary reality series RISING STAR from Keshet International. The fastest-selling talent show ever and already a massive hit in its original Israeli market, RISING STAR is the first competition series ever to tally viewer votes in real time, making it truly interactive television. From the very first minute of the very first episode, viewers play an integral role in every decision made throughout the season via an innovative free app, available in both Canada and the U.S. From Keshet DCP and executive producers Ken Warwick (AMERICAN IDOL) and Nicolle Yaron (THE VOICE), RISING STAR skyrockets onto CTV’s summer schedule Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT beginning June 22 with a special two-hour premiere. The series will also be available live and on demand on CTV.ca and the CTV Go app.
RISING STAR sees aspiring singers – including solo vocalists, duos, and vocal groups – perform alone behind a giant wall of TV screens displaying the faces of viewers at home who have shown their support for the performance. As viewers, the judging panel, and the studio audience vote, competitors and viewers see how they’re doing in real time through a live vote meter. Once the competitors’ votes reach a certain level, the screen in front of them slowly rises and a new star is revealed.
**Media Note** – Download photos from RISING STAR at BellMediaPR.ca
“RISING STAR’s innovative format is truly revolutionary, compelling, and offers CTV viewers an engagement opportunity like never before,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks.
RISING STAR had a record-breaking debut on Keshet’s Channel 2 in Israel from September to December 2013, maintaining its audience throughout Season 1 as the highest-rated show in 10 of its 15 weeks on air. The series also saw over 10 million votes cast through the app. Now sold to more than 25 broadcasters and territories, RISING STAR is the fastest-selling talent show ever. The territories include the USA (ABC), UK (ITV), Spain (Atresmedia), Italy (Toro), France (M6 Group), Russia (Rossiya1), Germany (RTL), the Nordics (Nordisk), Hungary (TV2), Brazil (Rede Globo), Portugal (TVI), and most recently Argentina (Telefe), Turkey (Acun Medya), and Indonesia (RCTI).
