Mumbai: Big CBS Networks has acquired the airing rights of the latest season of The X Factor 2 which will air concurrent to the United States. The show will air on Fox International Channels internationally.

X Factor 2 will be simulcast across Big CBS? three channels - Prime, Love and Spark. Starting 14 September, the show will air every Friday and Saturday at 9 pm.

Created by Simon Cowell and produced by Fremantle Media - North America, ?The X Factor? is back with its second season with jury concoction that consists of Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell and L.A Reid.

The winner of ?The X Factor 2? stands to get a recording contract with Syco Music in association with Sony Music Entertainment, which would include cash payments totaling $5 million.

According to the channel, the USP of the show is that it is open to both solo artists and groups and has no upper age limit. Throughout the live shows the judges act as mentors to their category, helping to decide song choices, styling and staging, while judging contestants from the other categories. They also compete to ensure that their act wins the competition, thus making them the winning judge.

The company spokesperson said, "It has been our endeavor right from start to offer India the latest-freshest-hottest of global entertainment, and with the acquisition of Fremantle?s hit show - The X Factor we once again live up to our promise. The X Factor?s concurrent telecast with the US and the simulcast across the Prime, Love and Spark will give us enormous mileage. Our strategy allows the show to reach a large relevant audience base across consumer segments, while simultaneously offering marketers an excellent platform to reach out to their audiences."

Big CBS network will engage in a multimedia marketing campaign across multiple touch points ranging radio, television, out of home media and social media to promote the show.

MUMBAI: 9XO, the recently launched international music channel from the 9X Media stable, will offer a national platform to Live from the Console, a Day 1 (Sony Music Independent) and Oranjuice Entertainment initiative.

Launched in July 2011 at Mehboob Studio in Bandra, Mumbai, Live from the Console provides emerging music bands an alternative platform to showcase talent and for music fans to discover new music. These emerging bands will get an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national television channel through this association with 9XO.

9XO programming head Luke Kenny said, ?We are delighted to be associated with the event Live from the Console which highlights the Independent music talent in India. This association with the event will bring to the fore talented artists out there playing original music and give them the national recognition that their music merits. ?

Sony Music Entertainment India & Middle East president Shridhar Subramaniam added, ?What began as a humble exercise to present new bands with an alternative platform that brings about music discovery and also like-minded people together, has now surged forward and gone national. We?re thrilled to partner with 9XO to promote musicians and independent music to an all new level. Going beyond Mumbai, this year Console edition will also be launched in Kolkata and a few other cities.?

Oranjuice Entertainment MD Owen Roncon said, ?It?s great news for artists as they usually don?t get any national recognition and with our association with 9XO we are sure thousands of people will be able to appreciate Indie artists and their music.?

The lineup of music artists playing at the Live from the Console on 26 May are Harbour Light (Singer & Songwriters), Stella by Starlight (acoustic folk & alternative rock) and The Ungulates (Folk & Alternative Rock).

MUMBAI: Global music, television, film and digital production company Syco Entertainment, the joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, has announced that Charles Garland will become the worldwide CEO with immediate effect.

Formerly the COO, Garland?s role will now include leadership of Syco?s global TV business.

Garland joined Syco in March 2011 from Crystal Entertainment, the company he founded in 2007 and served as chief executive. He previously served at 19 Entertainment for eight years, helping to build up its key brands globally. Before that he worked at Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) as Group Development Director, working with brands including Audi, Natwest and BT, where he was responsible for building the agency?s international operations, which involved launching offices in Asia and the US.

Cowell said, "Syco is a global business operating across 167 countries, working alongside the world?s most important commercial clients and talent. I want to build on that success to ensure that Syco is one of the most important and respected entertainment businesses in the world. I have a fantastic team of people at Syco and wanted someone they respected and trusted, I am therefore delighted to confirm Charles as CEO of Syco"

Sony Music chairman, CEO Doug Morris said, "I am pleased to have Charles operating in this important role. He is a proven leader who along with the Syco team will continue to build on Syco?s successes and further expand Syco?s worldwide businesses."

MUMBAI: Percept Sports and Entertainment has appointed Joji George as chief executive officer.

George comes to Percept from the Global Brand Forum, Singapore where he was its executive vice president.

In his new role, George will be responsible for providing strategic direction, creating opportunities for integration and paving the roadmap for the overall businesses of the Percept Sports and Entertainment vertical. His expertise lies in strategic planning and corporate branding, organisational brand alignment, global event management, regional sponsorship, licensing and merchandising.

Commented George on his appointment, "Having worked with leading brands across Asia over the last decade, I am excited about working with India?s leading entertainment conglomerate that transforms brands by offering ?complete brand solutions? for clients, looking to take a leadership position in a competitive marketplace both within India and globally. I want to make Percept Sports and Entertainment the preferred partner for businesses that are looking for creative and memorable brand experiences for its stakeholders and consumers and meet their needs.?

Elaborated Percept Limited joint managing director Shailendra Singh, ?Percept is India?s only conglomerate that provides 360-degree services in the Entertainment, Media and Communications (EMC) industry. Joji brings a wealth of ideas, knowledge and experiences from leading brands across the region and together we shall takePercept Sports & Entertainment to another level."

Previously, George has worked with organisations like Astro (Astro All Asia Networks Plc) ? Malaysia, Yahoo! Asia ? Singapore, MTV Asia LDC ? Singapore and Sony Music Entertainment (India) Ltd among others.