Universal snags music rights to John de Mol’s new music format

Universal Music Group has inked a deal with John de Mol’s Talpa and will represent all of the artists appearing on its new music format The Voice.
 
The show, a huge success in the Netherlands where it launched, has been picked up by US network NBC and sold to several territories internationally.

Universal Music Group will record and promote the new stars emerging from The Voice series around the world with the exception of Holland and Belgium, where rights are placed with 8ball Music

UMG and Talpa will also work together to provide artist services, to maximise the potential of the franchise and the finalists internationally.

The deal is similar to the arrangement that Sony Music-owned Syco has with artists from The X Factor that has seen it sell millions of records from artists including Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis.
 
“I am convinced that the US version of this format, The Voice, will be a great instrument in discovering genuine and amazing new singing talent in the biggest entertainment market in the world,” said John de Mol, owner of Talpa Media. “It’s fantastic to have broadcaster NBC and Mark Burnett on our side in the US, but Universal Music makes the picture complete.”