India to launch 'Soccer Star' reality television show

Buoyed by the success of reality program, Cricket Star, launched last October in India on Doordarshan National, Zee Sports and Zee TV, London-based Emerging Media is set to follow with Soccer Star in June/July. “The company has already entered into a partnership with Liverpool Football Club, which will offer its specialised training to the winner of the show. Many LFC stars and coaches will participate in the testing process and anchor the show,” said Manoj Badale, Chairman of Emerging Media. “The program expansion is part of the company’s plan to expand its suite of programs to eight in the next two years. We have a Rs 250 crore outlay for this purpose,” Badale told the Hindustan Times.