Star Academy sets up in Egypt, returns to Lebanon

Endemol singing competition format Star Academy is to launch on an Egyptian pan-regional channel and will return to Lebanese air after two years away.

Egyptian net CBC, which goes out of 300 million viewers in the pan-Arab region, has ordered a local version of the show. Furthermore, it is setting up a 24-hour pan-Arab Star Academy channel during the show’s four-month run, which will carry live action from the show, a daily access and a live show on Thursdays. It launches on Thursday.

In Lebanon, the show will go out on Lebanese market leading channel LBCI, which last ran the format in 2011 after an eight-season in-house version came to an end.

The Endemol Middle East-produced series will see candidates from 16 Arabic countries trained by professional performers in order for one winner to create a music single. Sixty cameras will follow the action, as the hopefuls work with vocal trainers, choreographers and acting coaches.

Lara Haddad, managing director of Endemol Middle East said: “Star Academy revolutionised TV in the Middle East when it launched a decade ago and quickly became one of the most popular entertainment series in the region. We’re thrilled to be bringing the show back and this time with more ways than ever for fans to enjoy the action.”