(LAGOS, NIGERIA) – Optima Media Group has been named licensees of the first-ever “Nigerian Idols.” According to a statement released by BlackHouse Media, PR team of Nigerian Idol, “Optima Media Group (OMG) has acquired the license from Fremantle Media UK to deliver the Idol experience in Nigeria”.
With a number of other properties such as “Apprentice”, “So you think you can dance”, “Dancing with the stars” “Soccer Prince”, “Got Talent”, “Soccer Stars” and “Don’t Forget the lyrics” pending, OMG is gradually gaining grounds as Africa’s quintessential content and production company; the one-stop shop for quality TV production and execution, further establishing themselves as the continent’s leading media, sports and entertainment company.
Since inception in 2001, the company has catered for marketing, content providing and marketing, using multiple media platforms to present and develop unique entertainment experiences across the African continent and beyond. It is no wonder they will be conveying Nigerian Idol to the doorsteps of 150 million Nigerians from July to December 2010.
Just like the premise of the original show Pop Idol, Nigerian Idol is a television reality show with a nation-wide search for Nigeria’s next solo superstar, which will offer one young hopeful the opportunity that raw talented singers have until now, only dreamed of. Nigerian Idol aims to find the best singer in the country who can be defined as the “National” singer, and International Artiste. One contestant will win an top quality management deal and a recording contract with an international record label, setting them on the path to stardom.
In July of this year, applications will be made available to talented singers across Nigeria, aged between 16 and 27 to audition for the chance to be the next 2face Idibia, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Asa or Neyo.
A panel of four judges, made up of some of the music industry’s most influential experts, will be faced with the daunting prospect of choosing 50 talented singers to face the viewing public who will decide, in a series of live shows, who most deserves the chance of stardom. This 50 hopefuls will be set tasks to prove that they have got the musical talent to make it in one of the world’s most competitive industries. The Winner will be chosen after a live show in which the final two contestants sing to the nation in the hope of clinching the prize that will change their lives forever.
The show will be aired both on cable and terrestrial television across Nigeria. “We are currently solidifying relationships with a few television networks in other African countries, as well as in Europe and the United States,” said Chichi Nwoko Deputy Director International Sponsorship & Sales for OMG. “Music is a universal language, and we believe that Nigeria is a hub for music talent. With Nigerian Idol, we are dedicated to showing the world that we are ready to cross over into the international music scene. Nigerian Idol will produce the the Next Big International Star.”
Idol has been produced in different continents of the world like Poland, America, Greece and Turkey. Culled out of “Pop Idol”, Idol as it has become one of the biggest international franchises.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT NIGERIAN IDOL
• Optima Media Group are the licensees for Nigerian IDOL
• Fremantle Media UK created the British TV series Pop Idol which has now become a global phenomenon known as IDOL.
• IDOL has been produced in many countries of the world including Germany, Turkey, Australia, Poland, USA, Sweden, France, Belgium, and in Asia including SaudiArabia
• OMG as a media company has vast interests in sports, entertainment, events and publishing has partnered major organisations in the world.
• “Accept no Limitations’’ is the pay-off line for Nigerian Idol
• Young people between 16 and 28 are eligible for the auditions
• Nigerian Idol will be aired across Nigeria, other African countries and overseas
• 50 contestants will be selected from the auditions as finalists
• This is the debut edition of Nigerian idol
• There will be four judges on the show
• Auditions will hold in six cities across Nigeria
