The network recently stole the show from under the nose of rival network Nine (owner of this masthead),which had broadcast it for nine seasons. Seven has promised to"supercharge"the format for its 2021 season,and installedSonia Kruger as its host.
Mariah Carey is in the sights of the Seven Network to be a judge on talent contest The Voice.Invision/AP
Nine spent about $40 million on its version ofThe Voice,with a fair whack of cash deposited in the pockets of judgesDeltra Goodrem,Guy Sebastian and overseas importsBoy George andKelly Rowland.
Nine was happy to throw shade at its rival for poaching the format."Unfortunately due to the age of the show and declining demographic profile,The Voice had become by far the poorest financial performer on our slate. We wish Seven well in their quest to revive yet another Nine show,"a Nine spokesman said.
The fate of the judges is uncertain. But CBD has learnt that Seven West Media chief executiveJames Warburton,who plans to cut the program's costs to about $20 million,is wrapping up negotiations with Carey to appear in the series next year. If successful the signing will be a formidable statement of competitive intent against his free-to-air TV rivals.
During her career,Carey has sold more than 200 million records globally.
The 50-year-old singer is also the former fiancee of Crown Casino billionaireJames Packer. The couple split in 2016 after fellow mogulKerry Stokes,owner of the Seven Network,stalled the wedding by grounding Packer’s jet in Israel so the younger billionaire could deal with his personal issues.
Packer toldThe Sydney Morning Herald on the weekend:"I wish her well."
Carey is about to hit a publicity wave,with her new memoir,The Meaning Of Mariah Carey,published on Tuesday.
She is no stranger to talent contests,having judgedAmerican Idol on the US Fox network in 2013,which led to a headline generating feud with younger singerNicki Minaj.
Seven declined to comment to CBD on Monday.
No doubt Warburton will be hoping for a relaxed quarantine system by the time the series starts to film next year. CBD can’t imagine a fortnight’s quarantine at the Ibis Darling Harbour will meet Carey’s exacting standards.
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