PRESS RELEASE
GOT TALENT, THE WORLD'S 'TOP GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT FORMAT' SURPASSES 50 LOCAL VERSIONS
CANNES, 8 October 2012: (Virtual Press Office) -- FremantleMedia and Syco Entertainment are celebrating a momentous achievement for the Got Talent format - as it can be revealed the show now has more than 50 local versions on air across the world. This feat is unequalled by any other talent show in history. It comes as Got Talent remains the world's top entertainment format for the second year running, featuring on more top ten lists around the globe than any other show, according to Eurodata/Mediametrie.
Got Talent is a ratings hit in every corner of the planet with recent adaptations of the format launching in French-speaking Belgium, Vietnam, Peru, Ecuador and New Zealand where it was the highest rated locally-produced entertainment launch for seven years.
America's Got Talent is the longest running local version of the format and after seven hit seasons attracts peak audiences of more than 12 million viewers. Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent - the UK's number one entertainment show of the last decade - has notched up six hit seasons, as have the versions in Australia, France and Russia.
Further local versions of Got Talent are on the way, with total sales of the blockbuster format, co-owned by FremantleMedia and Syco, reaching an astonishing 54 territories to date.
Rob Clark, Director, Global Entertainment Development, FremantleMedia said: "We are immensely proud of this achievement. Got Talent is truly a global entertainment show that transcends countries and cultures, winning audiences series after series. More than 460 million viewers have watched the Got Talent format since it first launched in 2006 and it has been the number one show for broadcasters in 20 countries, all the while continuing to enter new markets. Passing the 50 local adaptations mark is a truly momentous accomplishment for Got Talent, FremantleMedia and Syco, and we're looking forward to its continued success."
George Levendis, Head of International for Syco Entertainment said: "Got Talent continues to be the best performing format in the world with nine new markets already added over the last year. The show continually evolves and is more current than ever - on the one hand launching spectacularly in New Zealand in 2012 and on the other achieving incredible ratings for the latest series from such diverse markets as the UK, France, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, the Philippines and Bulgaria. Got Talent has the ability to morph within different territories into what suits the local audience at that point in time; enchanting and entertaining people all over the globe."
In addition to the numerous local adaptations of the format, the US version, America's Got Talent has been sold to 180 countries by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME). The format also breaks records online; the YouTube channel for Britain's Got Talent recently notched up its one billionth view, making it one of the most viewed YouTube channels of all time.
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Notes to Editors:
About FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 92 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. FremantleMedia's worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.
www.fremantlemedia.com
SYCO ENTERTAINMENT
Syco Entertainment is a leading global music, television, film and digital production company. Syco is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, with offices in London and Los Angeles. Syco's television and music assets include leading global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent, as well as artists as diverse as One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Cher Lloyd, Il Divo, Labrinth, Loveable Rogues and Jonathan & Charlotte.
For further information:
Blair Metcalfe, Ogilvy PR
Tel: +44 (0) 207 309 1024
Mobile: +44 (0) 7740 190901
Blair.metcalfe@uk.ogilvypr.com
FremantleMedia@uk.ogilvypr.com