KUCHING: TVS’ first-ever reality talent show, TVSTARZ, will put the spotlight on talented individuals in three separate categories, namely singing, hosting, and acting.
Sarawak Media Group (SMG) chief executive officer Suhaimi Sulaiman believes that the show will make Kuching a major media content hub.
Originally produced by TVS with internally developed content, TVSTARZ’s unique format will feature singing in Season 1, hosting in Season 2, and acting in Season 3. The first season will be aired over 10 episodes while Seasons 2 and 3 will each conclude after a six-week challenge.
Due to the current pandemic, it will also be the first 100 per cent online talent search programme made available on television.
“As this is an online competition, we are not limited to Sarawak or Malaysia, but we open this space to make our industry great, whereby there are also contestants from our neighbouring countries,” he said during a press conference here today.
TVSTARZ has attracted over 645 applicants and six contestants have been selected for the singing category. These six talented individuals will be revealed during the show’s debut on March 16.
“For the first 10 weeks, we will focus on those who can sing, then we will continue on to hosting, followed by acting. These are three separate programmes under the TVSTARZ banner,” explained Suhaimi, adding that contestants for the hosting portion would be announced after the first season.
He said different sets of contestants would be selected for the other two categories, and each season would have its own winner.
“After that, we will have a mega-concert as we would all be vaccinated by then.”
Touching on the format of the programme of the singing competition, he said the six contestants – called The Dream Team – would compete with a challenger every week.
“If they can defend their spot among the six and not lose to the challenger, then they will go on with the chance to win attractive prizes.
“If the challenger is better and gets higher points than the lowest score among the six, then the lowest scorer will be eliminated and the challenger will enter to be a member of The Dream Team.”
He said challengers could be either amateur or professional singers and would be chosen by the producer.
Overall, Suhaimi said they were looking for individuals with qualities desired in the industry, such as a great voice, presence, and the X-factor.
As for competition prizes, he said these would be announced in due time as TVS was still receiving enquiries from other sponsors.
Nurbaizura Abu Mansor is the producer of TVSTARZ, which will be hosted by TVS’ producer, singer, and dancer Jay C. Singing coach Yudhi Seriestha and singers Ernie Zakri and Amir Jahari will be judges.
Meanwhile, singer and former Miss World Malaysia 2014, Sarawak’s very own Dewi Liana Seriestha will be the show’s vocal coach. TVS’ music producer Farouq Mousthofa will act as a music arranger.
The show is set to air on March 16 on TVS Channel 122 on Astro and MyFreeview.
