American Idol extends talent search to songwriters
NEW YORK (Billboard) - It’s hard to imagine that the producers of “American Idol” would want to tinker with the show’s formula following last season. After all, the hit reality program — a talent search for music’s Next Big Thing — was 2006’s top-rated TV series by a wide margin. But when the “A.I.” juggernaut returns for its sixth season January 16, that’s just what they’ll be doing.
In the biggest tweak of the show in years, a new national songwriting contest will be introduced and run parallel alongside the usual singing competition. The winning song, as determined by viewers, will serve as the first single from the champion of “Idol.”
It’s fine-tuning like that — a quintessential “Idol” touch — that has enabled the franchise to maintain its steady upward trajectory during its five-year run. Last season was the show’s biggest and best yet. According to Nielsen Media Research, the show averaged more than 30 million viewers — ratings that trail only the likes of special one-off events like the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards. What is more, Ad Age says the show generated more than $500 million in TV sponsorship revenue in 2006. It now sets the value of the “Idol” franchise at $2.5 billion. A record four contestants were signed to album deals with Simon Fuller’s record company, 19 Entertainment: Taylor Hicks, runner-up Katharine McPhee and finalists Chris Daughtry and Kelly Pickler.
Now the franchise — which through the years has given rise to the platinum-selling careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino — is thinking even bigger as it heads into its latest season.
Says a relaxed and confident Fuller, “Idol” creator and mastermind, “We’re just hitting our stride.”
So what can viewers, not to mention advertisers, expect in the season ahead?
Details of the songwriting contest are still being sketched out, but it will be open to amateurs, with demos submitted through an “Idol” Web site. The show’s producers and judges will whittle entries down to a dozen finalists, which will be performed in the show’s stretch run and put up to a vote by the audience…..
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Source: http://ca.today.reuters.com
April 11th, 2008 at 5:57 am
The only thing I figured out, is that you will have a headache after reading this unreal stuff. Nothing interesting!
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:12 am
Check out my songs… as a songwriter I hope to have an opportunity to show what I can do…
June 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
You can check them out on myspace at http:www.myspace.com/millieamckinney
Thank you for taking a moment to listen to my material and for the support should you choose to view my material….
May 6th, 2010 at 11:39 am
I loved the top 5 Idol group medley last night. It was moving to see Aaron Kelly removed but I do believe the others were better singers so he had to go!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I saw American Idol winner Lee has recently signed up to RCA records. I cannot wait to listen to his new album.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I think Donald Trump would be a better American Idol judge compared with Harry Connick Jr. - Trump is not at all afraid to say what he thinks plus can be as controversial as Simon Cowell.