MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has inked multi-year deals with Canada's CTV for both American Idol and Canadian Idol. The announcement was made by FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender together with CTV Media Group chair and CTV president of programming Susanne Boyce.
Fremantle International Distribution through its Canadian agent, Media Group International, inked a long-term broadcast extension with CTV securing the Canadian broadcast rights to American Idol seasons six, seven, eight and nine. The long-term commitment cements CTV's ongoing relationship with the programme that began in September 2002 when the broadcaster signed on for American Idol's season one two-part finale.
Since then, American Idol has become a blockbuster sensation in Canada with each season outperforming the previous one. Last year, season four of American Idol in Canada finished as the country's No. 2 programme in the Top 10.
Now, Canadians have made CTV's season five premiere of American Idol another record breaker, when more than three million viewers tuned into the 17 January, 2006 two-hour premiere.
Ellender said, "After its proven success in the Canadian market, we are thrilled to have signed a long-term deal with CTV to continue their relationship with the eternally popular American Idol. The programme has been a massive hit and we are certain it will only go from strength to strength as our partnership with CTV continues."
Simultaneously, FremantleMedia has inked a multi-year extension with CTV for the format rights to Canadian Idol, Canada's most successful English-language homegrown series. CTV has locked up the format rights for seasons four, five, six, seven and eight of the series that has spawned three record-breaking seasons to date. In Canada, CTV has taken the Canadian Idol program to the No. 1 spot on Canada's Top 20 for three consecutive years.
Season three recently generated 38 million votes, more than the country's population, while averaging more than two million viewers per episode.
In response to the Canadian Idol deal, Frot-Coutaz said, "We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with CTV through this extended production deal, ensuring Canadian Idol's prominence for another five seasons. The programme’s ratings dominance is a testament to the high production values and commitment to excellence. We’ve no doubt it will enjoy continued success."
Boyce added, "For CTV, Canadian and American Idol are much more than just complementary. In fact, the existence of one magnifies the other. We look forward to a renewed commitment with our partners at FremantleMedia."