Canada's Got Talent to be Rogers TV series

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ROGERS MEDIA LEVERAGES EXPANSIVE MULTIPLATFORM OFFERINGS TO DEVELOP NEW CANADIAN SERIES, CANADA'S GOT TALENT
Citytv and Insight Productions to produce and broadcast Canadian version of hit international Got Talent franchise celebrating the unique talents of the nation

TORONTO, May 30, 2011 /CNW/ - Citytv today announced plans for Canada's Got Talent, the Canadian version of the hit Got Talent franchise, from Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia. Co-produced by Rogers and Insight Productions, Canada's Got Talent will be broadcast across Canada in Spring 2012 on Citytv. The format is licensed by FremantleMedia globally.

"Canada's Got Talent is the perfect opportunity to showcase the strengths of Rogers Media with its vast multiplatform offerings," commented Scott Moore, President, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. "A Canadian version of the series allows us to tap into the expansive homegrown talents from across Canada and engage viewers on a national scale like never before."

Canada now joins more than 40 countries including America, Germany, and the UK as markets with original Got Talent productions.

"Rogers Media is uniquely poised to utilize the power of its media assets to bring this entertaining phenomenon to Canadian audiences", commented Ed Robinson, Executive Producer, Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. "The show is a modern day version of the classic variety show that appeals to viewers of all ages. It will be exciting to see what Canadians bring to the table through the auditions and beyond."

Rogers Media will leverage all of its platforms (television, radio, publishing, digital, and wireless), resources and talent, to produce, promote and broadcast the new Canadian series to reach Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

"The Got Talent franchise is a proven international ratings performer and we have seen the results first hand with America's Got Talent on Citytv," commented Mitch Dent, Executive Vice President Sales, Rogers Media Television. "Maximizing our properties across Rogers' brands will create unique sponsorship opportunities and enhance the consumer experience."

With no age limit and no act too obscure, Canada's Got Talent will embark on a nationwide search for Canada's favourite performer, celebrating the diverse and eclectic homegrown talent from across the country. Much more than a singing or dancing competition, Canada's Got Talent will showcase the top acts from magicians to jugglers, contortionists to fire eaters, singers and dancers - anything goes. Top acts will compete to impress an expert panel of judges to move on to the next round. The Canadian version will follow the format of the British series that launched in 2007 and discovered stars like Susan Boyle and Paul Potts.

Further announcements for Canada's Got Talent, including host, judging panel and the nationwide audition process, will be revealed shortly.

Canada's Got Talent is executive produced by John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby for Insight Production Company Ltd.