Mumbai: Big CBS Network has launched an initiative to create local excitement for its singing reality show ?American Idol?.

The network has partnered with Talenthouse India to scout for ?Prime Idol?. This initiative will give the viewers a chance to be featured on Big CBS Prime when they submit a video of their solo music performance.

Talenthouse India is supporting the channel in the crowd sourcing effort to hunt for English solo music performances in sync with American Idol.

With the eleventh season currently being aired on the BIG CBS Network, participants can submit a solo music performance to their favorite song and upload it on www.talenthouse.com before December 3, 2012.

This invite is open to anyone who is a music enthusiast and wants to showcase their talent.

Talenthouse India and BIG CBS Network will collectively decide the winning entry from amongst the qualified submissions by 28 December 2012 which will then be featured on Big CBS Prime. The winner will also receive an LCD TV worth Rs 50,000. Two runners-up will be awarded music systems worth Rs 20,000 each.

A public voting phase will commence post the submissions starting 4 December 2012 and the participant with the highest number of votes will receive gift vouchers worth Rs. 10,000.

BIG CBS Network executive vice president, business head Anand Chakravarthy said, "We at BIG CBS Network consistently challenge ourselves to provide our audiences with the latest and best of international entertainment and a superior television viewing experience. This time around we have chosen a unique platform to involve our target audiences. Our association with Talenthouse aims to extend the excitement and anticipation that American Idol generates by giving one Indian a life changing opportunity."

Talenthouse India CEO Arun Mehra said, "We believe, every single person has a creative streak waiting to be discovered. We are sitting on a goldmine of untapped talent who are searching for a platform to showcase their talent and gain recognition. We are proud to be associated with the BIG CBS Network to create an extension of American Idol with this unique promotion. India is a hub of music talent and we are excited to provide our creative community a platform to showcase this talent on BIG CBS."

A pre-decided jury will go through all the submissions, keeping in mind the terms and conditions of the "Creative Invite" which are posted on the site.

MUMBAI: Big CBS Networks is launching the latest season of ‘American Idol‘ on 15 October.

The eleventh season of the singing reality show will simulcast on three channels of the bouquet - Big CBS Prime, Love and Spark.

To be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the show will air from Monday to Thursday at 9 pm across all three channels.

The panel of judges includes Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson.

The channel has partnered with brands like Reliance Mobile, Microsoft and Nivea for the property.

Big CBS Networks business head Anand Chakravarthy said, "This show, once again, is in keeping with our endeavor of offering the latest-freshest-hottest of global entertainment to India. American Idol the pioneer of all singing reality television shows, promises to generate excitement on television amongst the relevant audiences. We are happy to be offering audiences with exciting content while offering marketers the perfect platform to reach their audiences with maximum return."

MUMBAI: Television format creator, distributor FremantleMedia has announced the appointment of Thom Beers as CEO of the US business effective 1 September.

Beers, currently FremantleMedia-owned company Original Productions CEO, executive producer, will be based in Los Angeles and report directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

Beers will be responsible for the company‘s overall management and business performance and will oversee the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. He will lead an experienced executive team including FMNA COO Donna Redier Linsk and president of entertainment programming - ‘American Idol‘, ‘The X Factor‘ and ‘America?s Got Talent‘ Trish Kinane.

Frot-Coutaz said, "Thom Beers has a creative vision that has placed Original Productions, the company he founded, at the forefront of the industry. Thom?s multi-award winning combination of experience, innovation and expertise has made Original a dominant force on US primetime cable networks, and as an existing member of the FremantleMedia family he has a deep knowledge of our people, our company and our operations around the world. Thom is the perfect choice to take the helm of FMNA as it continues to grow, and we are very pleased that he has agreed to build on his successful leadership of Original and take on responsibility for FMNA."

MUMBAI: European entertainment network RTL Group has appointed C?cile Frot-Coutaz as CEO of television format creator and distribution company FremantleMedia.

Cecile will be based in London and take charge from 1 July 2012.

C?cile, currently FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) CEO, will succeed Tony Cohen who will step down to focus on his non-executive work.

RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch together with Anke Sch?ferkordt said, "After being with the group for 17 years, C?cile has the vision and leadership that are needed to further grow FremantleMedia. She brings expertise and drive from the largest TV market in the world and combines her creative skills as a producer with a sharp business perspective. I am very happy to welcome her at the helm of RTL Group?s production arm."

Incidentally, Cohen transformed FremantleMedia from a collection of individual entities into a global content power house. Under his leadership, the company has become the pre-eminent producer of the hit prime-time global entertainment formats in dozens of countries, a top distributor and brand licensor, and a rapidly growing force in online and mobile gaming, branded entertainment and kids.

Cohen said, "FremantleMedia?s extraordinary creative and commercial achievements this last decade have been due to the talent and skill of its leadership team and staff, to our great partnerships with major talent and to our shareholder?s unwavering support. I am grateful to them all and to have been part of the company?s amazing journey."

As the FremantleMedia North America CEO, C?cile currentlyoversees the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. Under her guidance, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and successful event entertainment on television, including the multiple Emmy-nominated musical/reality show American Idol on the Fox network. Other titles produced by FMNA are The X Factor (Fox), America?s Got Talent (NBC), Family Feud (syndicated), The Price Is Right (CBS), and the scripted series The Wedding Band.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has announced that the host of its music-based reality show ?American idol? Ryan Seacrest will serve as the host of its ?25th Anniversary Special?, airing on 22 April.

Fox president of alternative entertainment Mike Darnell said, "Who better than Ryan Seacrest - America?s best television host and 11-year member of our FOX family - to lead our 25th anniversary celebration. This is going to be an amazing trip down memory lane filled with plenty of surprises that will showcase our hits, our misses and everything in between."

Hugh Laurie from ?House?; Kelsey Grammar from ?The Simpsons? and ?Back To You? and Tommy Davidson from ?In Living Color? join previously announced participants including Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama from ?That ?70s Show? and Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny and creator Chris Carter from "The X-Files."

The star-studded special will pay tribute to Fox?s most memorable moments with appearances by Fox talent, highlights from iconic series and specials and reunions with cast members from some of the network?s fan-favorite series, among other surprises.