Turner Broadcasting and Archie Productions Collaborate on Major European Format
Turner Broadcasting today announced it has commissioned six European versions of Staraoke, Finland's top-rating karaoke-style kids' series, created by Finnish production company Intervisio. A total of 78 x 30-minute episodes of the show will be produced by UK-based independent kids and entertainment specialist Archie Productions. This is Archie Productions first major commission since launching last year.
Staraoke represents an exciting development in the genre of music entertainment, with Archie adapting the format to create a big-budget light entertainment series. The six territories set to broadcast Staraoke are the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Poland.
Aimed at 7 - 11 year olds, each episode two teams will battle head-head to win prizes. Staraoke will be hosted by two presenters - one aligned to each team - who in the UK have been confirmed as experienced and popular kids' presenters Laura Hamilton and Nigel Clarke.
Contestants will gain points based on their ability to sing in tune, with scoring determined by voice recognition software. Their renditions in each round will control the course of a computer generated avatar on a giant plasma screen, with the aim to keep its course on a steady path. Avatars will be chosen from characters appearing on Turner's portfolio of kids' channels, including Ben 10, the Powerpuff Girls, Bloo from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and Scooby-Doo.
Finn Arnesen, SVP GM Original Series & International Development, Turner Broadcasting System International adds: "Staraoke is an excellent format of obvious appeal to kids. We're delighted to have commissioned this entire new run of episodes, with many exciting elements added that will take the show to the next level. Having worked with John Marley and his team on our successful gameshow Skatoony, we are pleased to have Archie Productions on board as producer of our latest UK-produced live-action brand."
John A. Marley, Creative Director at Archie Productions says: "We are excited to be working with Turner on such a major, international project and look forward to the challenges and rewards of producing six localised versions of the same format. Archie is all about creating brands on this scale and we feel proud to have achieved a commission such as this within our first twelve months."
For further information:
Yinka Akindele, Senior Press Officer, 020 7693 1105, yinka.akindele@turner.com
For further information please contact:
Janet Balmforth at Blueprint PR
Tel: +44 (0) 208 868 0511 E Mail: janet@blueprintpr.co.uk
