Simon Cowell has discovered enormous talents through his TV competition series in America, Britain and across the globe. He'll extend his search into Asia with a new "Got Talent" installment.
Cowell's Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia reached a deal with Sony Pictures Television to create "Asia's Got Talent," according to Variety. The show will debut on Sony's AXN television network in early 2015.
Contestants from 13 countries and territories will compete on the show. Production begins this month with auditions being held in Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Manila, Philippines; and Bangkok, Thailand.
The 'Got Talent' franchise has series located in 58 countries. Cambodia, China, India, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam already have their own spinoffs. Guinness World Records named the talent program the world's most successful reality TV format ever in April.
AXN is an English-language general entertainment channel that broadcasts in Europe, Japan and other parts of Asia and Latin America. The network's Asian territories include South East Asia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Audiences in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India will have access to the series on local free-to-air channels after its original airing on AXN. The Chinese digital platform will also carry the show.