Banijay Lands Pan-Arab Format Sale

PARIS: Banijay International has sold its musical entertainment format On Stage with My Idol to pan-Arabian broadcaster Al Jadeed, based in Lebanon.

The 26-episode one-hour series is produced locally by Studiovision and will air in early 2012. The format was created by Banijay Productions France for TF1, where it is known as Rendez-Vous avec Mon Idol and has featured the international pop icon Enrique Inglesias, as well as French musical talent such as Lara Fabian, Roch Voisine and Sofia Essaïdi. On Stage with My Idol offers talented contestants the chance to sing a live duet with their idol.

Karoline Spodsberg, the managing director of Banijay International, said, “We’re very pleased to announce the sale of another great Banijay Group format to the Middle East. On Stage With My Idol joins several shows from the Banijay International catalogue which have aired in the Middle East this year, including Taratata, The People’s Quiz and IF.”

Khalil Homeissy, the COO at Studiovision, added, “We are renowned for producing Arabic versions of megahit entertainment formats with world-class production values as standard, so are eager to begin filming On Stage with My Idol for Al Jadeed. We are sure it will be a great success, attracting a discerning regional audience."