ITV axes Rising Star

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has scrapped its version of talent format Rising Star, amidst fears over its potential ratings.

ITV was understood to have been considering stripping the series across a single week in March next year, however it has now taken the decision to cancel the series altogether.

“As a commercial broadcaster, we always need to be as confident as possible about the potential ratings of any new programme format that we have acquired, and we have therefore taken the decision not to proceed with plans to broadcast the series on ITV,” an ITV spokesman said.

ITV is one of many international broadcasters to have acquired rights to the show from Israeli formats specialist Keshet International, the production and distribution arm of Keshet Media Group.

Further versions are set to be broadcast in more than 20 other territories, including China (CCTV) and France (M6). However, the performances of its international versions so far, which have included launches in Brazil (RedeGlobo), Portugal (TVI) and the US (ABC), have been mixed.

Earlier this week Germany’s RTL Television decided to bring its 10-episode first season to an end after six shows because of a “lack of audience response.”

The format allows viewers to vote on the efforts of singers in real time via an app as they perform behind a screen, giving them immediate feedback. If the performer secures 70% of votes from viewers and judges, the screen rises and the performer is revealed.

The series was originally produced by Tedy Productions for Keshet Broadcasting slots on Channel 2 and premiered on the network last September, with Keshet touting strong ratings.

“There’s always a risk attached when launching an ambitious new concept and we’re obviously disappointed by ITV’s decision not to move forward with Rising Star,” said Sammy Nourmand of Keshet UK.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the team at ITV Studios who have worked tirelessly to adapt the format for a UK audience. Rising Star remains an innovative and ground-breaking format of which we’re extremely proud.”

Rising Star’s next launch will be in France on M6 on September 25. More than 4.5 million viewers took part in a preview of the show in France earlier this week, according to French TV measurement system Médiamat.