09.01.03
France
says oui to Top of the Pops
Following
an agreement negotiated by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, France 2 has joined the
rapidly growing number of international broadcasters producing their
own localised version of Top of the Pops - the UK's number one chart
show. France 2 will premier the show on 8th January 2003, kicking
off with Robbie Williams, Indochine and Carla Bruni.
RTL
in Germany, BNN in Holland, Jim TV in Belgium and RAI2 in Italy
all broadcast local versions of Top of the Pops - beside the 112
countries that transmit the UK version of the show. In its 39-year
history Top of the Pops has become one of the world's largest music
brands, with a fan base of millions across Africa, Australasia,
Europe and the Americas.
For
France 2, Top of the Pops is created by French production companies,
R&G and ACT 4, together with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's production team and Top
of the Pops impresario Chris Cowey. The show will reflect France's
local chart, SNEP (Syndicat National des Editeurs Phonographiques)
with performances from national and international artists. Hosting
the show is Ness, former front lady of France's music show Exclusive
on TF1.
Yves
Bigot, Head of Variety & Entertainment, France 2, said, "
For us Top of the Pops is the world's leading chart reference. It
was conceived in an explosion of Rock and Roll in 1964 and has charted
musical history as it has happened for nearly four decades. It has
a reputation and pedigree unparalleled by any other music show and
access to some of the biggest music stars on earth - and we want
to bring this to France 2's audience. It is proving to be highly
successful in all the current local versions and we certainly expect
similar success for the programme on France 2."
Simon
Kendall, Global Brand Manager, Top of the Pops, said, "Our
mission is to take Top of the Pops, the UK's number one chart show
and transform it into the world's number one music brand. This deal
takes us one step closer to achieving this. It also provides a platform
for all other Top of the Pops activity in France."
Chris
Cowey, UK producer, Top of the Pops, added, " France 2 is an
exciting and important addition to the Top of the Pops family and
great news for music and music fans in France."
As
with all other local productions of Top of the Pops, the set has
been re-created locally to have the same look and feel as it has
in the UK. By using an exact replica of the UK set in each territory
the artist's performances on Top of the Pops can be seamlessly integrated
into the shows across all markets.
|
