Jay Chou will be kept as the host for the controversial talent show. (Photo : www.tpgnews.com)
Despite a brewing tension between Talpa Global and Star China, the Dutch TV producer appears to be positive toward China's entertainment segment.
Talpa Global's CEO Pim Schmitz said at a press conference that it is teaming up with Talent International Film Co. Ltd. for the upcoming season of "The Voice of China."
China has a "relatively young entertainment market," Schmitz was quoted as saying by the Global Times.
He said that Talpa Global is looking into introducing foreign formats to Chinese audience as well as co-producing original shows.
This comes after the former partners fight over copyrights, which Schmitz dismissed as "part of the business."
"The Voice of China" was originally a partnership between Talpa Global and Star China. It began in 2012 and reached four seasons. But the agreement took a different turn amid pricing problems.
Star China claimed that the Dutch producer's asking price for the fifth season was too high, prompting it to launch a show of its own.
Talpa Global, meanwhile, defended its turf, saying that the Chinese company's offer was way lower than what was agreed upon in previous seasons.
"This show is more and more popular every year, it is natural and normal for prices to rise, and no country is an exception," Schmitz said in a report by The Straits Time. "However, we found that our partner, in making the terms of a contract proposal for the fifth season, wanted to pay a fee lower than for the second season."
Facing legal dispute, the supposed fifth season of the show bears a new face under Star China. Among the apparent changes are a brand-new logo and a revised title called "China Super Vocal."
Singer Jay Chou will be retained as the show's host. Judges Na Ying, Wang Feng and Harlem Yu will also be kept.
