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TV REAL
Passion’s Distribution’s RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Gazing
Stars have become more open to participating in celebrity-based TV shows, which provide strong marketing potential and prospects for ancillary revenues. By Kristin Brzoznowski
W
hen thinking about pop-culture figures such as Britney Spears, Donald Trump and Jennifer Lopez, television might not be the first career highlight that jumps into your mind. However, TV has become an increasingly large part of all of their media empires. Numerous celebrities have been harnessing the power of the small screen to further their other interests, whether it’s singing, cooking, athletics or something else. 452
World Screen
Broadcasters and viewers have been quite welcoming toward stars’ openness to participating in TV shows. Distributors of celebrity-based programs—with everything from observational documentaries to competition series to biography-focused specials—have been reaping the benefits as well. But it hasn’t always been so easy to secure a famous face to front your show, declares Jeff Tahler, the senior VP of global content at FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME). “Reality tele10/12