Universal Republic Records will be the U.S. record label of recording and artist services for TV’s most anticipated music competition, “The Voice” it was announced today by Monte Lipman, CEO and President of the company. “The Voice of…” series has been a hugely successful singing competition in Europe and the Mark Burnett/John de Mol produced American version, named “The Voice”, will air on NBC-TV this spring.
Casting information for NBC-TV's "The Voice"
Originating in Holland, the Dutch version, “The Voice of Holland”, has already become the country’s most successful new TV talent contest, with audience ratings which far exceed local versions of “The X Factor”, “Idol”, "Popstar" and "Holland's Got Talent". Universal Music Group has announced a new agreement with The Voice Talent Agency (TVTA), to record and promote the new stars emerging from “The Voice Of…” series around the world (with the exception of Holland and Belgium, where rights are placed with 8ball Music). In addition, UMG and Dutch producers, Talpa, will work together to provide artist services, to maximize the potential of the franchise and the finalists internationally. Universal Republic Records will record and promote the new stars emerging from “The Voice” in the U.S.
The innovative format of “The Voice Of…” features only real singing talent and has three stages of competition, starting with a “blind” audition process. The four celebrity coaches (successful artists in the music industry) can only hear the competing talent, but can't see them. They pick talent for their teams only based on vocal skills. These “Blind Auditions” are followed by “Battle Rounds” where talent sings to survive one-on-one battles within the coaches' team. And, finally, the artists perform live on a huge stage in pursuit of the title. The TV audience votes and selects the winner together with the coaches; this triumphant singer is named “The Voice Of…” the country in which the series is broadcast, and is awarded a recording contract with Universal Music.
The TV audience appeal of “The Voice of Holland” was evident during the series’ final ‘battle’ episode last November, when it attracted 3.2 million viewers at its peak, for a 54% market share in the 20-49 target group and 59% of the female 20-34 group. During the live shows phase in December and early January 2011, ‘The Voice of Holland’ was by far the most watched Dutch TV program on prime time Friday night. Talents from the show already obtained numerous No. 1 hits in the charts as well as gold records.
Monte Lipman said: “Universal Republic Records and ‘The Voice’ is a great partnership. We both have proven track records of discovering and nurturing talent. To partner with Mark Burnett, John de Mol and NBC-TV, will make ‘The Voice’ America’s next cultural phenomenon.”
About Universal Republic Records
Universal Republic Records, launched in 1995 by Monte and Avery Lipman, has quickly evolved into one of the most successful new labels of the last decade. A division of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, Universal Republic is home to a diverse array of superstar artists as well as innovative imprints and digital business ventures. It is comprised of Universal Republic and Republic Nashville Records, and is in partnerships with Big Machine, Cash Money, Lava Records and Downtown Records, Simmons Records among others. The company’s roster boasts such chart-topping artists as Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, Enrique Iglesias, Amy Winehouse, Colbie Caillat, Florence + the Machine, Hinder, 3 Doors Down, Owl City, Godsmack, Jack Johnson, and Damian Marley among many others.
About Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.
Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Show Dog – Universal Music, Universal Motown Republic Group, Universal Music Latino and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalogue of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG’s catalogue is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division.
Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.
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Contacts:
Jay Wilson, 212-373-0684
jay.wilson@umusic.com
