Keshet’s Rising Star sparkles in new territories

Keshet has inked deals for its super buzzy Rising Star format in Germany and the Nordic territories.

The Israeli-originated show, in which would-be singing stars are voted on live by viewers at home before being revealed to a studio audience if they garner enough support, created a lot of noise last week at MIPCOM where Keshet launched it internationally.

The Israeli company has now sold it to German free-to-air broadcaster RTL and Banijay-owned Nordisk, which has taken rights across the Nordic territories.

Last week Keshet announced deals with French free-to-air channel M6 and state-owned Russian broadcaster Rossiya.

RTL was attracted to the format because of its original interactive elements, said programme manager Frank Hoffman.

“Rising Star has all the elements of a classical music talent show, but brings the well-known genre of casting shows to a new level,” he said. “The audience is part of the show and thus even closer to the action by the unprecedented social media integration.”

The Nordic deal was brokered by Banijay International, the international division of Nordisk’s parent company,  and covers Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

“Entertainment shows are popular in the Nordic territories and our audiences demand the most exciting, modern and riveting formats. Rising Star brings something fresh and new to the genre while retaining the drama and emotion that make the best talent shows work,” said Jacob Houlind, CEO, Nordic Group, Banijay Group.