News

SBS Publishing & Licensing B.V, part of SBS Broadcasting B.V. and Warner Music Benelux B.V today announced a partnership that will see Warner Music become the record company for the winners of ‘Popstars’, currently airing on SBS 6 in The Netherlands. Collaborating with SBS, Warner Music Benelux will work with the talent show’s most popular contestants across all aspects of their careers including audio and video material, touring, merchandise, sponsorship and brand partnerships.

The current series of Popstars has received its largest ever audience figures, peaking at over 2 million viewers. The last show of the series is on Friday 19th December when a new band will be produced from the finalists.

Michael La Grouw, SBS Publishing & Licensing B.V, said “We very much look forward to this collaboration with Warner Music, which combines the knowledge and expertise of two experienced parties. Together, we can make optimal use of this knowledge to build the Popstars success.”

Martin Jessurun, President, Warner Music Benelux B.V, said, “This partnership with SBS is a fantastic opportunity for us to be closely involved with some of the most promising local talent. Our expanded rights relationship with the finalists will enable us to create a diverse array of content and take a holistic approach to developing their long-term popularity.”

Popstars is the world’s longest-running talent show and a resounding global success with over 50 countries broadcasting the program.  The weekly show airing on SBS 6 is hosted by Gerard Joling and Nance Coolen and is judged by Dutch music pundits Henkjan Smits, Patricia Paay and Maurice Wijnen.

About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group became the only stand-alone music company to be publicly traded in the United States in May 2005. With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire, operates through numerous international affiliates and licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.