Rising Star lands at ITV

UK commercial broadcaster ITV is the latest channel to pick up hit Israeli format Rising Star from distributor Keshet International.

ITV has struck a deal with the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group that will see ITV Studios and Keshet International UK produce episodes of the singing show.

The interactive talent show was originally produced by Tedy Productions for Keshet Broadcasting’s Channel 2 and premiered in September, drawing a 46% audience share on its debut.

The show’s associated app, which allows viewers to vote to reveal contestants, has been downloaded 1.5 million times so far and generated nine million votes out of Israel’s population of eight million.

“The bold real-time voting element means that viewers’ votes control every twist and turn of the live programme – and that makes for an incredibly dramatic, emotional and exciting show,” said Elaine Bedell, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy.

The format has already been sold to broadcasters in the US, Russia, Hungary, Germany, France,  Italy and Scandinavia.