UTV Media (GB) and NUA Entertainment have joined forces in a new venture to find the next big singing sensation. The winner will be awarded a recording contract worth £100,000, which will include an advance, recording costs, marketing, videos and promotional costs. The first single from the winner will be released before the end of the year.
Starting on May 27, listeners will be invited to submit demos to their local UTV station’s website, and executives from both companies will choose the best ones to go forward to regional heats. From there, finalists will be chosen to perform in front of a judging panel made up of industry experts.
NUA Entertainment’s chairman, Ivor Novello winning and Grammy nominated musician Paul Hardcastle, says: “I’m really looking forward to seeing the performances at the judging stages which I feel sure, with UTV’s involvement, will be of a high quality.”
Hardcastle, of course, had the international number one hit single ‘19’, which launched the media empire of Simon Fuller and eventually led to American Idol – so this really does take things full circle for Paul.
Terry Underhill, Group Programme Director for UTV Media local stations, said: “This is the biggest prize that UTV’s local stations have ever given away and we know our talented listeners will be really keen to win it.”
NUA’s co founder, the highly successful international entrepreneur Neil Utley, is looking forward to bringing his business expertise into this exciting project.
UTV Media (GB)’s local station in South Wales is Swansea Sound and The Wave.
For further information on UTV Media (GB)’s stations please contact Alice Furse alice.furse@talksport.co.uk 0207 959 7827
For further information on Paul Hardcastle or NUA Entertainment please contact Radiopromotions music@radiopromotions.co.uk 01295 810592