Public arts and culture funding to the tune of $1.6 million will partly pay for the New Zealand's Got Talent reality television series.
Developed by Simon Cowell, the series is famous for discovering unlikely star Susan Boyle in the British series. It will screen on TV One.
Government agency New Zealand On Air said its support was a smart use of the public purse.
Chief executive Jane Wrightson said it was a "wonderful opportunity for many types of New Zealand performers to entertain a nationwide audience".
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Advertise with NZME.Ms Wrightson was unavailable for further comment yesterday, however media spokeswoman Gina Rogers said the agency had no problem using arts and culture funding to reproduce a foreign format locally.
"The thing about formats is they are proven overseas. We're keen to support new ways of getting New Zealand talent and talent-based acts on to prime time."
The New Zealand's Got Talent commitment is subject to a full budget being confirmed.
Head of TV One and TV2 Jeff Latch said the scale of the programme meant other funding streams were needed to make it happen, and multiple commercial partners were being sought. Imagination TV will produce the show, which does not yet have a start date.
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Advertise with NZME.TV3 has the rights to rival talent show X Factor, a format also associated with Cowell.
NZ On Air has not received an application from TV3 for funding, But Ms Wrightson has said she could not rule agency funding out.
TV3 spokeswoman Rachel Lorimer said the broadcaster was more focused on producing renovation competition series The Block this year, while X Factor was a longer-term prospect.
Talent-based reality shows such as Dancing with the Stars and New Zealand Idol have been ratings winners for TVNZ in the past. NZ Idol had a three-season run.
Some suggestions for the casting hat
Judges
Pauline Gillespie, aka Polly from ZM
Straight shooter. Not likely to give contestants inane platitudes made famous by judges such as Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.
Sports broadcaster Willie LoseBooted off a radio job recently for Tony Veitch. Has a lovely voice.
Paul Henry
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Advertise with NZME.News of the World editor Piers Morgan was a judge in the UK and US versions of the show, so a broadcaster/journalist wouldn't be totally out of place on the panel. Paul Henry has made a career out of putting his foot in his mouth and not being bothered. Hosting Breakfast across the ditch makes it an unlikely prospect.
Bill Ralston fun
Once read out hate mail that he'd received on TV3 which complained in great gruesome detail about his looks. Classic.
Che Fu
Possibly too talented to be a reality show judge, though he'd be great on TV. Old enough to have something to say, young enough to be relevant.
Lana Coc-Kroft
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Advertise with NZME.A retro pick.
Hosts
Jason Gunn
Perennially popular.
Dominic Bowden
LA-based. Missed out on fronting the recent first US season of X Factor to Welshman Steve Jones. Former New Zealand Idol host.
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Advertise with NZME.Matai Smith/Te Hamua Nikora
Both engaging presenters who have worked together on Maori TV's talent show, Homai Te Pakipaki.