The decision to end American Idol is described by local broadcaster MBC as a bold move.
Mazen Hayek, the official spokesman for the Dubai-based broadcaster, which holds the rights to the successful Arab Idol series, praised the US show's success.
"The decision was probably to stop while it is still successful, and while still being able to bring something new to the table," he says. "These shows require you to improve with each season and to keep surpassing yourself in formats, embellishments and twists. American Idol has done it all during 15 seasons and probably the goal of this farewell is to move on to something different and bigger."
Hayek says the show's ending is unlikely to have any adverse effect on the continued success of Arab Idol – the fourth season of which is scheduled to return late in the year.
Launched in 2011, the Arabic version was an immediate hit with viewers and has launched the career of several stars. The biggest undoubtedly is the 2013 winner Mohammed Assaf, who became a global phenomenon and was the subject of last year's acclaimed biopic The Idol.
A staggering 120 million people tuned into watch the Palestinian Assaf being crowned the winner in the season finale.
Such figures prove, Hayek says, that Arab Idol's success has eclipsed even that of its American counterpart.
"In terms of engagement, followers, viewers and ratings, we are equal if not bigger than American Idol. So we were not able to just emulate the success, but surpass it in this part of the world."
Hayek says that Arab Idol's top production values were learnt directly from the American version.
After obtaining the rights for the Arabic version from British production company Fremantle Media – which launched the format in the UK with Pop Idol in 2001 – Hayek says MBC not only received "a production bible" but also sent technical staff to America to see how the shows were put together.
“The benefit of gaining the rights to such global formats is that it results in huge learning for professionals in the Arab entertainment industry,” he says.
“When they say we are copying the show, we tell them you are wrong. This is a show made by Arabs, for Arabs, featuring Arab talent.”
sasaeed@thenational.ae
