Music Entertainment Formats Go Far And Wide At Zodiak Entertainment

Zodiak Entertainment has announced sales of its popular music entertainment formats to CEE, Turkey, the Middle East and Australia in the run up to DISCOP East 2009.
A rising star in the Zodiak Entertainment portfolio, Twist & Shout has been licensed by ATV in Turkey for 13 episodes and by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation in the Middle East for eight episodes, where it will be produced by Signature Productions. This, in addition to the two series currently in production in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Since its launch at MIPCOM 2008, this primetime singing show has been optioned in 12 territories including Nine Network in Australia, Fremantle in Portugal, plus Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece and pan-regional SBS Broadcasting spanning Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The company is also in advanced negotiations with a partner in the USA which is currently presenting the show to the US networks.
Also from the company's music entertainment portfolio is the celebrity-based prime-time hit, Stars on Stage, which has now been licensed to National TV Channel Kazakhstan. Furthermore, a third series (14 episodes) has been commissioned with Channel One in Russia, where the show has been a runaway success, attracting a staggering 27% audience share in its first episode. A long-standing favourite around the world, Stars on Stage has also aired in Armenia, Brazil, Belarus, india, Indonesia, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the Ukraine - achieving exceptional ratings for broadcasters in each country.
Matthieu Porte, Head of Format Sales, Zodiak Entertainment, said: "What great Zodiak Entertainment success stories these are. Twist & Shout is fast becoming Zodiak Entertainment's next global hit. Similarly, Stars on Stage is on fire, it seems audiences can't get enough of its fusion of music and celebrities."
Twist & Shout is the one hour musical talent show with a difference, in each show eight acts go head to head in four musical duets. While they do their best to perform some of the world's greatest hits everything is done to put them off. From an ice water plunge to singing with animals or even upside down! each contestant tries to sing or play their best for two minutes without stopping - whatever happens. A regular jury decides the winner of each duel but it is the studio audience which votes at the end to decide who will become this week's Twist & Shout Champions. The format was developed by The Zodiak Distillery, a group development initiative, designed to create and exchange ideas and expertise.
Stars on Stage is the prime time glamour show where celebrities join well-known singers in daring duets. In just one week, three well-known singers teach three celebrities the dos and don'ts of how to sing, dance and act on stage.
(KMcA/BMcC)