Australia’s FOXTEL Acquires FME’s American Idol

LONDON,
October 29: In a multi-year deal, FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has sold the
hit reality competition series American Idol to Australian pay-TV platform FOXTEL’s
primary channel, FOX8.

The seventh
season of the show will air from January 2008 onwards in tandem with the U.S.
broadcast schedule.

Brian Walsh, the executive director of television and marketing, at
FOXTEL, said: “We are thrilled to add American Idol to FOX8’s
dynamic 2008 schedule. The history-making series, that has unparalleled global
success, will be a sure-fire hit for our viewers.”

Paul Ridley,
the senior VP of sales for the Asia Pacific at FME, who brokered this deal
said: “It's a terrific show and am
delighted to have concluded this agreement which I'm sure will have a very
satisfactory result for FOXTEL and FOXTEL viewers."

—By Irene Lew