RTL cuts Rising Star run

Germany’s RTL has moved to shorten its local run of Israeli talent format Rising Star by two episodes.

Insiders say RTL’s version of the show has performed below expectations, and with costs of producing the interactive format high, the decision was made to cut it from 10 episodes to eight.

Instead of running the final on October 2, it will end on September 18 with a 1x105mins finale. Despite the ratings, which saw its most recent episode take just 1.11 million viewers, the series has clocked up 17 million app votes in the six episodes to date.

Rising Star scored record ratings in Israel, though its international results have been more mixed. The format has aired in the US on ABC, where it has trailed NBC’s America’s Got Talent in its time slot. RedeGlobo in Brazil and TVI in Portugal have also run versions of the show, and about 20 other versions are being lined up.

Rising Star, sold internationally by Keshet Media Group’s global arm Keshet International, sees wannabe popstars perform behind a giant LED screen, which is raised to reveal them if enough votes are cast in the studio and by a panel of judges as well as viewers using a dedicated interactive app.