By 3 News online staff
TV3 has confirmed The X Factor NZ will be screening in New Zealand in 2013.
Created by music mogul Simon Cowell, The X Factor pits singing contestants against each other in a search for a person or group to sign a recording contract.
“For the viewers, this is the biggest television event New Zealand has seen, for contestants, it’s a competition that changes lives and launches careers,” says co-executive producer Andrew Szusterman.
The winner of The X Factor NZ will be signed to Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand. Managing Director Kim Boshier says The X Factor is recognised throughout the music industry as a legitimate and respected way to find talent.
“In the last three or four years some of the greatest recording artists on our roster have come from the X Factor format and we’re excited to finally have the format in New Zealand,” she says.
Since its first UK series in 2004, The X Factor has successfully launched in over 20 territories and stars including Leona Lewis, Reece Mastin and One Direction.
The X Factor NZ is open to singers of ages 14 and up – either solo performers or groups. Once through the final audition process, the four judges will take on mentoring roles, as the performers are split into categories – Boys under 25, Girls under 25, the over 25s and the Groups.
NZ On Air has announced it is contributing $1.6 million as a minority investor in the singing competition programme.
"We are thrilled that variety series New Zealand's Got Talent has premiered to a huge audience this year, and we wish the same success for The X Factor NZ in 2013," says NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.
"These programmes celebrating this country's talent are very expensive to produce and we are pleased to help get them over the line. NZ On Air is only able to fund one of these series in a single financial year, so the timing has worked out well."
The X Factor NZ will screen on TV3 in 2013. Who will judge the local show has not yet been announced.
The latest series of The X Factor USA premiered on TV3 last night, featuring judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid. It is available to watch on demand on tv3.co.nz.
3 News