‘Idols’ has been one of the most successful television formats in the world. Its local versions have aired over 129 series in over 42 territories. In the USA, American Idol is consistently the No.1 series with a peak audience of over 37 million viewers. Further, Idols is the highest rated series ever in the Netherlands since the start of commercial television in 1989. The final of Idols in the Czech Republic was watched by over one third of the population! The global number of votes for Idols has now exceeded three billion!

The Exploitation of Idols: A case study (Kretschmer & Singh, 61pp)

Proving to be a phenomenon world-wide, Got Talent has so far aired in over 22 territories and is still expanding it’s roll-out. Got Talent is the most successful entertainment show of 2008 in the UK and is the UK’s number one talent show for a decade! Got Talent in the UK and the US were number one shows on the same night in June 2007! America’s Got Talent was the best performing show in its NBC time slot for the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons. The 2007/08 season is the highest rated entertainment series on NBC.

Hole in the Wall has been Fremantlemedia’s fastest travelling formats – having gone to over 32 countries in one year. In this format, two teams of contestants compete by twisting their bodies into crazy shapes as they try to fit through holes crafted into a fast-approaching Styrofoam wall. If they are unsuccessful, a pool of water and a big splash awaits. Dressed in tight-fitting spandex suits, celebrities as well as normal people will compete for bragging rights and cash prizes, but more importantly, for fun.