News Broadcasting
FremantleMedia inks deals with Canada’s CTV Network
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has inked multi-year deals with Canada’s CTV for both American Idol and Canadian Idol. The announcement was made by FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Fremantle International Distribution managing director David Ellender together with CTV Media Group chair and CTV president of programming Susanne Boyce.
Fremantle International Distribution through its Canadian agent, Media Group International, inked a long-term broadcast extension with CTV securing the Canadian broadcast rights to American Idol seasons six, seven, eight and nine. The long-term commitment cements CTV’s ongoing relationship with the programme that began in September 2002 when the broadcaster signed on for American Idol’s season one two-part finale.
Since then, American Idol has become a blockbuster sensation in Canada with each season outperforming the previous one. Last year, season four of American Idol in Canada finished as the country’s No. 2 programme in the Top 10.
Now, Canadians have made CTV’s season five premiere of American Idol another record breaker, when more than three million viewers tuned into the 17 January, 2006 two-hour premiere.
Ellender said, “After its proven success in the Canadian market, we are thrilled to have signed a long-term deal with CTV to continue their relationship with the eternally popular American Idol. The programme has been a massive hit and we are certain it will only go from strength to strength as our partnership with CTV continues.”
Simultaneously, FremantleMedia has inked a multi-year extension with CTV for the format rights to Canadian Idol, Canada’s most successful English-language homegrown series. CTV has locked up the format rights for seasons four, five, six, seven and eight of the series that has spawned three record-breaking seasons to date. In Canada, CTV has taken the Canadian Idol program to the No. 1 spot on Canada’s Top 20 for three consecutive years.
Season three recently generated 38 million votes, more than the country’s population, while averaging more than two million viewers per episode.
In response to the Canadian Idol deal, Frot-Coutaz said, “We are delighted to have strengthened our partnership with CTV through this extended production deal, ensuring Canadian Idol’s prominence for another five seasons. The programme’s ratings dominance is a testament to the high production values and commitment to excellence. We’ve no doubt it will enjoy continued success.”
Boyce added, “For CTV, Canadian and American Idol are much more than just complementary. In fact, the existence of one magnifies the other. We look forward to a renewed commitment with our partners at FremantleMedia.”
News Broadcasting
UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
