MUMBAI: MBC Group has signed a contract with Talpa and Sony Pictures Television ("SPT") Arabia which gives it the exclusive rights to broadcast the international TV format ?The Voice? on multi-platforms, across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

SPT Arabia, the producer who represents Talpa formats in
the region, will co-produce the show in its local adaptation.

MBC Group Group TV Director Ali Jaber said: "We are pleased to announce this multi-year agreement today, in our capacity as the exclusive broadcaster of this international format that has gained much popularity and viewership across the world."

MBC, thus, offers three strong talent show formats in the region across multi-platforms.

"Talent shows have positively affected the TV viewing habits, patterns and trends in the region, while further enhancing the family viewing experience and raising the levels of engagement with TV content, through social media
and other platforms," said Jaber.

The Voice is a blockbuster. Said SPT Arabia president Ziad Kebbi, "We?re very excited to co-produce "The Voice". In particular, social media and digital extension will play a major role in our production activity; both key elements in uniting the audience across various territories."

Auditions for "The Voice" are being organised in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon and Morocco, and others. The show will broadcast from MBC?s studios in Beirut- Lebanon soon.

?The Voice? consists of three phases: a Blind Audition, a Battle Phase, and Live performance shows. Four coaches, all famous musicians, will choose teams of contestants through a blind audition process.

Each coach has the length of the auditionee?s performance to decide if he or she wants that singer on his or her team; if two or more judges want the same singer then the singer gets to choose which coach they want to work with.

Each team of singers will be mentored and developed by their coach. In the second stage, coaches will have two of their team members? battle against each other by singing the same song, with the coach choosing which team member will advance to the next stage.

In the final phase, the remaining contestants will compete against each other in live broadcasts. The television audience will help to decide who moves on. When one team member remains for each coach, the contestants will compete against each other in the finale.