Chinese video platform takes Voice Kids rights

Chinese online video platform Youku Tudou has acquired rights to remake John de Mol’s format The Voice Kids.

This is the second major international format de Mol created that Youku Tudou is remaking, after it took rights to make a Chinese version of Endemol’s flagship show Big Brother.

Youku Tudou has taken the exclusive remake rights to singing format The Voice Kids from former Endemol chief de Mol’s Talpa Holding.

The Tudou division of the on-demand business will oversee the project, titled The Voice of China Kids.

It will retain the classic elements of the Voice format, including blind auditions, battle rounds and professional coaching. As a web series “it will have opportunities for viewers to interact with the show across multiple screens”, Youku Tudou added.

“We’re excited to bring this worldwide hit format to China and its integration into the Youku Tudou media and entertainment ecosystem will add further appeal beyond its already great interactive, participatory quality and unique design,” said Weidong Yang, president of Tudou.

Zhejiang TV’s remake of the original Voice format is one of the biggest shows in China, and has run for three seasons to huge ratings.

“With the huge success of The Voice of China, I believe The Voice of China Kids will receive massive attention and generate a huge amount of buzz for the Chinese audience,” added de Mol, Talpa Media’s president.

Youku Tudou has moved heavily into original content as it battles for eyeballs in China’s competitive online viewing market. Programmes launched exclusively on the platform include Tudou’s Weekend Show, The Show and Tudou K-pop.