STAR India PLUS to launch 'I Am Next Superstar' in US and Canada

Close on the heels of music reality shows capturing the imagination of TV fans in India, South Asians in North America will now be able to showcase their talent on the soon-to-be-launched "I Am Next Superstar," a talent search contest that will air on STAR India PLUS in the US and Canada.

Eligible US and Canadian residents will have the opportunity to submit auditions online of their singing or playing an instrument at www.iamnextsuperstar.com. The contest aims to harness the musical talent of participants, from singing to playing a tabla, harmonium or guitar and so forth.

India's music luminaries Suresh Wadkar and Sonu Nigam, who will also be available to mentor the participants, will judge the online auditions in both categories.

The top 20 participants judged from online entries will compete in two semi-final events in New York and California. Winners from the semi-finals will then compete in New Jersey in a concert-style grand finale in the presence of judges and audiences that will be aired on STAR India PLUS.

The winner will have a chance to record a single and feature in a music video.

Suresh Wadkar and Sonu Nigam have been eagerly involved since the inception of "I Am Next Superstar," as partners as well as mentors.

"It's a great opportunity for participants to learn the nuances of music and hone their skills through this contest and claim deserving fame," said Wadkar.

"The contest will go a long way in rightfully identifying singing talent among South Asians in North America, for both amateurs and professionals," said Sonu Nigam. "We want to pursue the dual objective of providing entertainment to fans in America while bringing them in sync with music reality shows in India."

STAR India PLUS, which is one of the most-watched Hindi general entertainment channel in the US and the number one rated general entertainment channel in India for most of the last 10 years, is the launch partner for the talent search contest. STAR'S involvement gives the contest a major television platform, also giving the winners a chance to showcase their talent to a national audience.

"Star is constantly striving to provide its viewers with the highest quality entertainment out there”be it via top-notch movies, reality shows or its highest rated dramas. Simultaneous to this, we also understand the strong need to nurture and showcase our own local talent within the Diaspora." said David Wisnia, STAR's Senior Vice President of Distribution, Sales and Marketing and head of STAR's North American office. "Our association with Third Eye Ventures is a reflection of STAR'S commitment to showcase, to all our viewers, the best South Asian musical talent on view in North America.

The talent contest has been put together by Third Eye Ventures, whose team brings together 50 years of combined senior level experience in television and entertainment companies in India, South East Asia and the US.

"Third Eye's effort is to raise the bar of entertainment programming targeted at South Asians in North America, and provide content that matches mainstream programs that North American South Asians are so used to watching on national television," said Sanjay Chitale, president of Third Eye.

Third Eye is a media production venture by Ace Open (www.aceopen.com), an online music education portal offering intensive coaching by renowned musical luminaries.

New York-based Anhad Inc, the leading South Asian-focused fully- integrated media agency, will manage the semi-finals and the grand finale events. Anhad will also market and promote the shows and raise sponsorships.

Once launched, the talent search will initiate a national footprint through aggressive TV, online and offline marketing and ground participation aimed at creating social buzz and fan participation, promising sponsors unprecedented exposure and brand value.