Struggling MySpace is grabbing onto the coattails of the nation’s #1 television show on co-owned Fox to try to generate some traffic and excitement. The first-ever online auditions for “American Idol” are underway.
Through October 6th, hopefuls between the ages of 15 and 28 (as of June 15, 2010) can submit an audition video on MySpace. If you’re one of the people who’ve forgotten how to access MySpace, try www.myspace.com/americanidol.
“Entrants should demonstrate their stellar singing ability by performing one of the songs from the approved list a cappella. Videos are limited to 40 seconds in length, and are limited to one submission per person. Auditions will be judged in a similar fashion to the live audition cities and a select number will advance to the next round of callbacks in Los Angeles,” said the announcement. It added that fans will be able to share the videos across various networks and watch highlights in a special gallery on the MySpace page.
“American Idol has established itself as the largest stage to find and elevate new artists. Marrying this year’s auditions with MySpace, a platform renowned for discovering new talent, allows the show to broaden its reach online in the search for Season 10 hopefuls,” said Courtney Holt, MySpace Music President.
Would-be participants have to sign up for a MySpace account (which is free) to be able to submit an online audition. “American Idol has 1,303,496 friends,” the MySpace page said when we checked it on Friday (9/17).
American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment.
RBR-TVBR observation: Online auditions proved very successful this year for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” which partnered with YouTube. Clearly MySpace has more to gain from a partnership with “American Idol” than the other way around. Maybe the #1 show on television can help News Corporation salvage some of its investment in MySpace.
