Mem Bakar, Sales Director, Global Agency

 

Q: How successful has the format Talent Hunters been?

A: We launched Talent Hunters at MIPTV this year and the interest has been huge. On October 5, 2013, the Turkish version will start airing on ATV and we are optimistic about its success. Soon it will be a worldwide hit.

 

Q: Could you give us a sense of who or which territories have licensed this format?

A: So far Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, China and Vietnam have licensed it and France has optioned it. Several countries including Ukraine and Russia are in the process of finalising a deal. Our goal is to reach at least 20 territories post-MIPCOM.

 

Q: Do you face any challenges in selling this format to Asia?

A: At the moment, talent shows are very popular in Asia, therefore we are not facing any challanges. The buyers are very selective but since this format has a unique touch, the increased interest has excited us.

Talent Hunters

Q: How is Talent Hunters setting itself apart from the other many other singing talent shows in the market?

A: The celebrities are both mentors and candidates.

The show is 13 episodes with two phases. Phase 1 is seven weeks and Phase 2 is six weeks. We have 10 famous singers who act as Talent Hunters.

In the first week, these 10 singers search for great voices, who could be unknown professionals or amateurs with great talent.

The show starts with one of our singers performing on stage. He/ she will be singing his famous song and just at the middle of the songs, with fogs and special light effects, the new talent joins and continues the song. This is always a surprise element.

Then one by one, the other famous singers will put up their performances and each will introduce the new talent that they have found.

At the end of the show, the audience at the studio will select one talent and his mentor, who will go to Phase 2, which will start on the eighth week of the show. The first seven weeks will be a casting process with each week securing one great talent/ voice. At the end of the seventh week, three Talent Hunters will be eliminated for not being able to find great talents in Phase 1.

In Phase 2, the Talent Hunters now become mentors to these great voices and sit on the jury seat. All of these talents make a solo performance and the Talent Hunters grade each of them excluding their own talent. At the end of each episode, the talent with the lowest score leaves, and when he/she leaves, the mentor leaves as well.

At the 13th week, we’ll have two talents left with their mentors and only one will win the grand prize.

 

Q: How important is it to create formats with cross-platform potential, in your opinion?

A: At the moment this is a key structure. Gathering the viewers through Facebook, Twitter etc results in increased viewer participation and allows for more interaction and commitment to the show. The project then can become a phenomenal success.