Popstars set for Turkish re-launch

The Turkish primetime version of Banijay’s reality singing format Popstars is to re-launch in the territory.

Turkish entertainment networks Star TV and Star TV International have commissioned local prodco STR to create a new 13-part series, which will land on air on March 14.

The show originally ran in Turkey on Show TV and the new one will follow the same show format, focusing on the contestants’ emotional personal journeys.

“We have had a huge response from international broadcasters looking for a well-known yet refreshed and relevant talent quest format since we re-launched the show at MIPCOM,” said Karoline Spodsberg, MD of Banijay’s sales arm Banijay International. “This sale and the others in the pipeline are testament to the fact that this is the right time for a revival of this iconic brand.”

It is a second format deal for the show Banijay International has secured since the Banijay Group acquired the creator, Australian prodco Screentime, last year. French network D8 ordered a remake in January.

Overall, the format has been sold into 40 territories since its launch 14 years ago.

Banijay also blocked Talpa Media from launching a separate reality format with a similar name, The Next Popstar, in the Netherlands after a judge agreed the title could cause confusion between the pair.