Release
INDIA TO WELCOME LOCAL VERSION OF “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL”
Bulldog Media & Entertainment and MTV India launch local version of the format from
CBS Studios International
April 14, 2015 (Cannes, France) – A local version of the hit reality competition series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, created by Tyra Banks, will make its way to India. Bulldog Media & Entertainment has licensed the format from CBS Studios International, with INDIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL broadcast on MTV India mid-2015. The series promises the same excitement and anticipation as the international format that continues to be a worldwide success.
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL has taken the world by storm, with the original show under license in more than 100 markets and 20 international versions in production. In the Indian version, twelve girls will live under one roof and battle it out to earn the prestigious title of INDIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL. The debut Cycle will explore the similarities and differences that female models face in the pursuit of their careers, bringing on experts and celebrities to mentor them each week. There will be more than a little opportunity for rivalry, competition and one-upmanship.
Commenting on the launch of INDIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, Roxanne Pompa, Vice President, International Sales and Production, CBS Studios International, "The AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL format continues to entertain audiences all around the world and we are excited to have the opportunity to see the Indian version make its debut. It is a show that has a great amount of style, glamour and entertainment, and we are confident that Bulldog Media & Entertainment and MTV India will deliver a ground breaking and enjoyable experience for viewers in India."
Akash Sharma, Co-Founder & Executive Producer of Bulldog Media & Entertainment said, “We are immensely excited to bring the successful AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL format to India. Specially adapted for the Indian audience, INDIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL will look for the fresh faces, one amongst who can be the next supermodel and make India proud on the global platform. In the U.S., the success of the franchise is evident with AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODELrecently renewed for a 22nd season and we aim to replicate the same. We are proud to be associated with CBS Studios International and MTV India and are confident that this show will open a new era of entertainment programming.
Aditya Swamy, EVP Viacom18 Media and Business Head - MTV & MTV Indies said, “MTV is the land of opportunity for the millennials and with INDIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, we are thrilled to be offering a life changing opportunity for young India. With our strong reach across platforms, we are eager to engage with young people across the country to bring alive this exciting franchise. I look forward to this partnership as we work towards building a marquee property in the glamorous world of modeling and fashion.”
A call for entries in April/May will be followed by a nationwide scouting tour to select the girls who will enter the 'model' house and start their modeling boot-camp. The INDIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL Cycle 1 winner will win prizes including a contract with a modeling agency, a cover in a reputed fashion magazine and a campaign to be the face of a brand.
About CBS Studios International
CBS Studios International is the leading supplier of programming to the international television marketplace, licensing to more than 200 markets in more than 30 languages across multiple media platforms. The Studio participates in international channel ventures, currently comprised of 18 channels in 24 languages across over 100 territories, reaching more than 70 million households worldwide. CBS Studios International also exports a diverse lineup of formats for local production around the world. The division distributes content from CBS Television Studios, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming. CBS Studios International is a division of CBS Corporation.
About Bulldog Media & Entertainment
Bulldog Media & Entertainment, founded in 2007 by Akash Sharma and Ramit Bharti Mittal, is one of the leading content providers and production companies in India. A pioneer in worldwide format acquisitions, they are the entity behind bringing successful entertainment franchises to India like ‘Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?’, ‘Beauty and The Geek’, ‘People’s Choice Awards’ and now ‘America’s Next Top Model’. Equipped to offer world-class creative, development & production services, Bulldog is one-stop destination for high-quality interactive & entertaining shows for TV, mobile, and the internet. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company also offers content services such as multi-platform Distribution, Interactivity, Merchandising, Digital Marketing, and Brand Solutions for the Indian marketplace.
About MTV
MTV, world’s premier youth brand, is a dynamic and a vibrant blend of music and pop culture. With a global reach of more than half-billion households, MTV is a cultural home to the millennial generation, music fans and artists. A 30 MM fan following across show pages on social media has made MTV the #1 brand in social influence as well. MTV products are available across 35 unique categories with targeted brand licensing. MTV also has a buzzing MTV Live business with properties like MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Bollyland. Aiming to entertain, lead and collaborate with young people through its evocative communication and youth relevant shows like MTV Roadies, MTV Coke Studio, MTV Unplugged, MTV Rock the Vote, MTV Kaisi Yeh Yaarian. For information about MTV in India, visit www.mtv.in.com
About Viacom18
Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is a 50/50 joint venture operation in India between Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B, world's leading entertainment content company, comprising brands like BET, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures) (www.viacom.com) and the Network18 (www.network18online.com) Group, the group operates news channels - CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat (a Marathi regional news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group).The joint venture includes leading brands across television, film and digital media to build one of India's leading multimedia entertainment power house. Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd. includes the vibrant youth brand - MTV (www.mtvindia.com); the fastest growing kids cluster - Nick (www.nickindia.com), Nick Jr. (http://www.nickjrindia.com/), Nick Teen & Sonic (http://www.sonicgang.com/); India's premier International Entertainment channel - Vh1; India’s only English Entertainment Comedy Channel – Comedy Central; India’s only linear film production & distribution banner - Viacom18 Motion Pictures; one of India’s leading Hindi General Entertainment channel - COLORS (www.colorstv.in); ETV General Entertainment Channels comprising of Colors Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Odiya and ETV Gujarati; and brand solutions offering - Integrated Network Solutions (INS). This apart, Viacom18 also runs Viacom's consumer products business in India
About America’s Next Top Model
“America’s Next Top Model” is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment in association with The Tyra Banks Company. The executive producers are Ken Mok (“Making the Band”), Tyra Banks and Laura Fuest Silva. The series was created by Tyra Banks and developed by Mok and Kenya Barris. Tyra Banks also hosts the series. Currently, “America’s Next Top Model” is under license in over 100 markets around the world and has 20 international versions in production. “America’s Next Top Model” and the “America’s Next Top Model” format are licensed internationally by CBS Studios International.
For further details, please contact:
For CBS Studios International:
Jennifer Weingroff
CBS Studios International
Luke Fredberg
CBS Studios International
For MTV India:
Prasanna Ratanjankar
prasanna.ratanjankar@viacom18.com
For Bulldog Media & Entertainment:
Venkatraman Subramanian
