Sky Italia Commits To ‘The X Factor‘ After First Ever Outdoor Final
Sky Italia has committed to The X Factor for two more seasons following soaring ratings for the first ever finale to take place outdoors. Last week’s final reached its highest rating for four years and was staged outside in Naples, with a special live performance from Robbie Williams singing “Forbidden Road.” Mimì Caruso was crowned winner. Distributor Fremantle said the show was watched by an average of 1.8 million viewers, up 51% compared to the prior season. The deal will take Simon Cowell’s international hit to 2026 in Italy. “We couldn’t be prouder of the 2024 edition which we redefined from its core, enhancing its entertainment essence and quality,” said Antonella d’Errico, Executive Vice President Content Sky Italia. The X Factor has more than 20 international versions although it hasn’t aired in its origin country the UK since 2018.
European Shooting Stars Named
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European Film Promotion has named actors from Soviet Jeans, Hysteria and Aurora as its European Shooting Stars for 2025. The 10 will be presented at next year’s Berlinale in February. The winners are: Marina Makris (Cyprus), Besir Zeciri (Denmark), Maarja Johanna Mägi (Estonia), Devrim Lingnau (Germany), Elín Hall (Iceland), Kārlis Arnolds Avots (Latvia), Šarūnas Zenkevičius (Lithuania), Lidija Kordić (Montenegro), Vicente Wallenstein (Portugal) and Frida Gustavsson (Sweden). The group have starred in a wealth of big-name European shows over the past year or so. The jury was comprised of Romanian director and screenwriter Radu Muntean, Swedish casting director Pauline Hansson, Swiss producer Amel Soudani, French actress and former Shooting Star Ludivine Sagnier and Montenegrin journalist and curator Vuk Perović. “Big thanks to the jury for their critical eye and for making this year’s selection,” said programme director Tina Hajon. “It was not an easy task, among so many excellent nominees.”
Banijay Takes Global On Korea’s ‘My Name Is Gabriel’
Banijay has taken global rights on what it hopes will be the next big format to come out of Korea. JTBC-Disney+‘s My Name is Gabriel takes celebrities out of their comfort zones and gives them a new identity through a life swap. Participants assume the life of someone else, in another country, where no one recognizes them. In doing so, they experience living as their alter ego for three days, in an entirely new culture, even taking on their job, with each experiment culminating with meeting the real person behind their assumed identity. Kim Tae-ho, the producer of the program for TEO Corp, wanted to convey there is no such thing as a meaningless life, and if you peel back the layers of anyone’s life, you will find beauty. Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment, said: “The universality of celebrity culture makes this format ideal for the international market, and we are confident it will appeal to local buyers.”
Disney+ Grabs Oscars Rights In France
Disney+ will stream the 2025 Oscars in France after acquiring the exclusive broadcasting rights to the show. Canal+ had owned the rights to this point, but Disney+ will now offer subscribers red carpet and main event coverage. The Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theater on March 2. The announcement came during a Disney+ event in Paris last night, where execs announced French workplace comedy Surveiller et Punir from Simply Black creators John Wax and Jean-Pascal Zadi.
Cake & Headspace Ready Mindfulness Toon
UK-based kids specialist Cake and Headspace, the LA-based mental health app, are working up an animated series for children based around mindfulness. The pair are working with actor and author Lilly Singh and her Unicorn Island Productions on The Adventures of Unicorn Island. Incorporating mindfulness principles and science-backed methods, the series will aim to help child manage stressful situations and make sense of challenges. It will follow 10-year-old Lilly, voiced by Singh, who is transported to her ‘happy place’, Unicorn Island, when she faces adversity in her real life. With help from a group of imaginary friends, she learns about growing up and working through problems. Kara Lee Burk is the writer and exec producer.
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