MUMBAI: It’s time for some transformation. Keshet International’s kids singing format Master Class is making steady progress in Europe with a new sale in Slovenia, a stellar launch in Greece and a third season commission in Hungary.
The talent show, in which children sing all-time popular songs with only positive reviews and no eliminations, will be produced locally in Slovenia by Paprika Latino for Planet TV; it will also be available on a dedicated channel on Telekom Slovenia. A 12 episode series is planned in the first season for 2015.
The news follows the show’s recent launch on MegaTV channel in Greece where it became the leading show of the night in prime time, achieving a 33.5 per cent share in the channel’s target group (15 - 44) and an increase of 50 per cent on the same slot a month earlier.
Hungary’s TV2 has commissioned a third series of the show, following ratings in excess of a 250 per cent increase on the average for its timeslot. Master Class will also soon launch a first season of 12 x 90 episodes on Beijing Satellite TV in China following a co-development deal with 3C Media.
So what is the reason behind the expansion? Entitled School of Music in Israel and produced by Tedy Productions, headed by Tmira Yardeni, the children’s singing show became a breakthrough hit on Keshet Broadcasting Channel 2 making it the highest-rated talent show to appear in Israel and the second highest rated show of 2011, with a season average of 48.1 per cent share and 32.5 per cent rating.
Background
Master Class is a music talent show where children sing popular songs with only positive reviews and without elimination. It has become a critically acclaimed programme that taps into the global trend of family viewing because of its warm and humane approach.
It avoids the intrigue and harsh judgment of a ruthless competition, focusing on the nurturing relationships formed between the teachers and their young students, as they become familiar with the country's rich musical history and cultural heritage.
The 16 stars of the show are children aged 8-14, with the most promising voices in the country. Four teachers - leading artists in the music industry – train them to make the most of their potential and become the best singers they can. The program is set at the music school and its auditorium, where the weekly performances take place. Towards the end of the season the best student in each performance is awarded a place in the graduation show. Six sing for the last time in front of the committee, where one will be selected as the best in the class.
