INSIGHT & CTV Unveil THE LAUNCH, A New Six-Part Original Music Series

Insight & CTV announced a new six-part music television series, THE LAUNCH, premiering in 2018. The new international television format is the first TV project culminating from the previously announced partnership between Bell Media and world-renowned record executive Scott Borchetta (AMERICAN IDOL), founder, president, and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, whose roster features international superstars. Reinventing the music competition genre, THE LAUNCH delivers an authentic behind-the-scenes look at the creation of a series of hit songs.

CTV also announced it has brought on board Eureka Productions’ acclaimed showrunner Paul Franklin, the creative mastermind behind the MASTERCHEF format, along with Canadian format pros Insight Productions (THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, BATTLE OF THE BLADES), one of Canada’s preeminent production companies. With an award-winning background in music television production, Insight CEO John Brunton and Insight’s Lindsay Cox (THE TRAGICALLY HIP: A NATIONAL CELEBRATION) are executive producers, along with Franklin and Borchetta.

Created for markets around the world, THE LAUNCH features a new and unique format: a group of unsigned musicians are mentored in the creation of a new original song by a panel of internationally renowned hit makers – including Borchetta.

“THE LAUNCH is the centerpiece in our multifaceted partnership with Scott Borchetta and Big Machine,” said Randy Lennox, President, Bell Media. “Together with Eureka Productions’ extraordinarily talented Paul Franklin and the amazing Insight Productions, we have assembled an A-list group of collaborators to deliver an incredibly captivating and entertaining series.”

“Bell Media is renowned for creating content that resonates with viewers, so who better to partner with on this international project and to keep viewers engaged,” said Scott Borchetta. “From Drake to Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and Shawn Mendes – Canada is known for its world class talent and I can’t wait to discover the world’s next superstar.”

“Unlike other music programs, THE LAUNCH is an inside look at what it really takes to find and break a new artist and create music’s next hit single,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. “CTV has an incredible track record of adapting international formats for Canadian audiences, and now we are excited to bring this original Canadian format to the world.”

Casting for the internationally renowned music mentors is underway. Additional program format information and special guests will be announced in the coming months.

CTV also confirmed today that casting for THE LAUNCH is now open. Aspiring megastars can prep their auditions for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in music. The deadline for submission is May 10 at 11:59 PM ET. For all casting details and updates, including instructions on how to apply, fans can visit CTV.ca/TheLaunch, the CTV Facebook Page, and follow @TheLaunchTV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

As founder of the Big Machine Label Group, Borchetta is one of the most successful forces in the music industry today. He has been lauded as a modern day “music mogul” by Rolling Stone while millions of fans know him as the man who discovered Taylor Swift and helped her ascend to global superstardom. Borchetta has also developed and signed more than 30 music acts, including musical giants Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, and many more. He is responsible for helping various artists achieve more than 400 million album sales and sending more than 165 songs to #1 throughout his career with a unique ability to cultivate talent and propel them to worldwide success.

Paul Franklin, co-founder of Eureka, is one of the world’s leading producers responsible for the creative execution of numerous hit television franchises. Most notably, he is the key creative architect behind MASTERCHEF, the mega-hit format now produced in 50 countries and its phenomenally successful spin-off series, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. In the company’s first year of operation Eureka has created and produced THE CHEFS’ LINE (SBS), a 65-episode food competition format; BEHAVE YOURSELF (Seven), a 10-episode comedy game show; and are co-producing THE VOICE AUSTRALIA for the Nine Network. In addition to these announced series, Eureka also has a number of upcoming productions with U.S. networks including Spike, TruTV, Oxygen and FYI. Prior to co-founding Eureka, Franklin served as Executive Vice President, Programming, at Shine America for three years where he launched and managed the company’s unscripted programming department. During his time at Shine America, Franklin was responsible for and served as an executive producer on such hit series as MASTERCHEF and MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (FOX), THE BIGGEST LOSER (NBC), THE FACE (Oxygen), TABATHA TAKES OVER (Bravo), MINUTE TO WIN IT (GSN), RIOT (FOX), RESTAURANT STARTUP (CNBC), FAKE-OFF (TruTv), and GOING WILD (NatGeo Wild). Franklin also oversaw the launch of CTV’s top-rated hit MASTERCHEF CANADA.

Following in the successful footsteps of CANADIAN IDOL, THE IHEARTRADIO MMVAs, THE JUNO AWARDS, the MuchMusic and Coca-Cola Covers competition, and most recently, the launch of iHeartRadio Canada, THE LAUNCH was put into development in January 2016. The series was co-developed by and is produced in association with Scott Borchetta of Big Machine Label Group, Paul Franklin of Eureka, and Bell Media, in partnership with Insight Productions in Canada. The format will be available for distribution globally by Bell Media Original Programming and Big Machine Label Group.

THE LAUNCH is executive produced by Scott Borchetta, Paul Franklin, and John Brunton and Lindsay Cox, in partnership with Bell Media. Executive producers for Bell Media are Robin Johnston and Corrie Coe who is also Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Randy Lennox is President, Bell Media.