'NZ Idol' stays with TV2 for next year

Speculation that TV2 would lose the second series of NZ Idol to Prime Television has been quashed by confirmation the show will stay put for another year.

TV2 said this week that the second series would screen next winter. The likely start date is expected to be announced before Christmas.

The show's publicists declined to comment on how it would be financed or its likely format, but have confirmed Dominic Bowden will again front the programme and Paul Ellis, Fiona McDonald and Frankie Stevens will be the judges.

Those involved with the new series will soon review the first, won by Ben Lummis, and discuss possible changes.

There are suggestions of extra audition venues and taking the show to the regions.

The delay in announcing a second series sparked rumours that Prime, which employs Idol producer Andrew Shaw, was trying to poach the show.

NZ Idol attracted political criticism because it received a $450,000 NZ On Air grant when it was still trying to secure sponsorship.

NZ On Air does not normally finance imported formats; NZ Idol was licensed from Fremantle Media and 19 Management, both owned by Englishman Simon Fuller, who created the Spice Girls and S Club 7 and made Pop Idol into an international franchise.

Act MP Deborah Coddington said NZ On Air should not put public money into such a successful franchise. National Party broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu accused TVNZ and NZ On Air of stitching up a deal to write off the loan, costing taxpayers a "significant" amount.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey defended the grant on the basis of the programme's strong ratings and success in putting Kiwi talent in front of a large audience.

NZ On Air said the grant was needed to ensure the show proceeded. It had financed other imported shows such as Pioneer House.

The first series spawned number one singles for Ben Lummis and runner-up Michael Murphy.

Lummis' first single, They Can't Take That Away, was a lingering hit but his second, I Love You Love Me, did not make it to commercial release after being ignored by radio.

Murphy's first single attracted controversy when his song So Damn Beautiful, touted as an original, was found to have been released already by the Texas band Vallejo.