No One Left Behind: Canadian Idol Announces Innovative Last Chance Audition Stop on the 2008 Tour

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No One Left Behind: Canadian Idol Announces Innovative Last Chance Audition Stop on the 2008 Tour
Submitted By Renée Dupuis
Apr 14, 2008

-- Now anyone, anywhere in Canada can audition via online auditions, April 14-25 --

Toronto, ON (April 14, 2008) – The day after Canadian Idol’s 2008 cross-country audition tour wrapped up in Toronto, CTV announced that the search for Canada’s next Idol is heading into cyberspace, allowing singers in any part of the country with access to a computer to audition for this year’s competition. It’s only the second time in the history of the Idol franchise that competitors have had the opportunity to audition online, marking yet another North American first for Canadian Idol. By extending the breadth of the national search, producers are now offering every eligible Canadian the opportunity for exposure and a chance to start a professional music career, no matter where they live. Beginning today and lasting until Friday, April 25 at 5 p.m. ET, online Idol competitors simply need to upload video tryouts to the Canadian Idol website, idol.CTV.ca.

“Over the past six years, we’ve traveled tens of thousands of miles across this vast country, to every province and two territories, in search of the best undiscovered musical talent,” said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “Now, we’re heading into a new frontier with the hopes of leaving no stone left unturned. Hopefully this initiative will uncover some talent that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to find.”

Throughout the past five seasons, Canadian Idol has defined itself as one of the most innovative formats in the world. Now, not only will this new online element open up the competition to those unable to travel to an audition city, it also allows those unsuccessful at previous audition tour stops a second chance to earn a Gold Ticket to the “Top 100” round in Toronto.

“It’s not possible for the tour to hit every province and territory each year, but now there’s nothing holding people back from being part of the Canadian Idol experience,“ said John Brunton, Executive Producer of Canadian Idol. “Now Canadians who might not normally be able to audition in person can audition online to show the judges what they’ve got.”

Those interested in auditioning online should visit idol.CTV.ca to view the list of approved audition songs. Registration forms, rules and regulations as well as FAQs for in-person and online auditions can also be found on the site.

Following the same process as in-person auditions, online entries will go through two rounds of pre-selection before earning an audience with the Canadian Idol Judges. Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner will select the additional members of the “Top 100” based on talent. As with the cross-country audition tour, there is no pre-determined number of virtual Gold Tickets that will be awarded.

Online auditions are open to all Canadians between the ages of 16 and 28 (inclusive) as of January 25, 2008. Competitors may perform with an instrument, but they will be judged evenly on their singing, whether playing instruments or singing a cappella. Those choosing to play an instrument will also be judged on their playing abilities.

Canadian Idol was created by Simon Fuller and is produced in association with CTV by Insight Productions. John Brunton and Barbara Bowlby are Executive Producers. Ed Robinson is Executive Vice-President, Programming, CTV Inc. Susanne Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

About FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of programmed brands in the world, with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 territories. FremantleMedia has production offices in over 20 countries worldwide, providing local sales and production support for its international TV brands such as Idol and the world’s longest running game show, The Price is Right.

The company’s licensing operation, FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, exploits FremantleMedia’s many strong brands across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support, home entertainment and music publishing. Fremantle International Distribution, the company’s international distribution division licenses over 20,000 hours of programming to 150 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is the content arm of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company. For further information please see FremantleMedia’s website www.fremantlemedia.com.

About CTV Inc.

CTV, Canada's largest private broadcaster, offers a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming. It has the number-one national newscast, CTV National News With Lloyd Robertson, and is the number-one choice for prime-time viewing. CTVglobemedia Inc. is Canada's premier multi-media company which owns CTV Inc. and The Globe and Mail. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country, and leading national specialty channels. Other CTVglobemedia investments include an interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and in Dome Productions, a North American leader in the provision of mobile high definition production facilities. More information about CTV may be found on the company website at www.ctv.ca.