Aspiring Arab singers will have a shot at stardom and the chance of winning a record deal as Dubai TV channel MBC gears up to brings the popular Idol TV franchise to the Middle East.
The broadcaster has called for would-be idols to sign up for auditions that will begin after Ramadan in cities including Dubai, Kuwait City, Beirut, Cairo and Damascus.
Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama and UAE singer Ahlam have been announced as judges, with a further two names expected to be added to the panel.
The ‘Idol’ franchise, now on its 11th season in the US, was launched in the UK in 2001. The show made a household name of British record producer Simon Cowell, and the format been sold to broadcasters in 43 countries worldwide; from Armenia to Kazakhstan.
Arab Idol will follow the format seen in other regional versions, with amateur singers aged between 15 to 28-years-old auditioning in front of up to four judges in pre-recorded episodes.
Singers will then be voted off one by one in weekly live finals until a single winner is left.
Broadcaster MBC is understood to have signed a three-year deal with UK-based producers Freemantle Media Enterprises, owners of the Idol franchise,
MBC, which also broadcasts the audition talent show Arabs Got Talent, claims up to 45 million daily viewers.
The final of Arab Idol will be screened in March 2012. The winner’s prize will include a deal with a leading record label.
Follow us on
