Simon Cowell’s Ultimate DJ TV Talent Show Is Going Ahead

Phil Morse | Founder & Tutor
Read time: 2 mins
Last updated 7 November, 2017

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Traktor Factor? Simon Cowell is to launch a TV show to try and find the next generation of superstar DJs…

Back in 2012 we reported on Simon Cowell’s idea to do a DJ X Factor. Now, over two years on, we can report that the show is definitely going ahead. Entitled Ultimate DJ, the show – the brainchild of Cowell, SFX Entertainment and T-Mobile – has no doubt been resurrected due to the enduring success of EDM in the US, something of course that SFX entertainment is at least partially responsible for.

Apparently, the format will be different to Cowell’s previous shows, in that DJs will be invited to submit “productions” to be voted on via social media channels, before the live part of the process – whatever that entails.

Cowell said: “We have been developing this concept for a while but our partnership with SFX has been a real game-changer for this format. It made complete sense for us to collaborate with SFX with their access to the best up-and-coming DJs and their great marketing platform to build new DJ talent.”

Truth is, EDM is big business and big business makes money. With SFX on board (the company not only owns Beatport, but runs huge festivals like Tomorrowland in Belgium, Stereosonic in Australia and New York’s Electric Zoo), and Cowell (better know for chart acts like Labrinth, One Direction and James Arthur), the winner/s who emerge from this show are going to be performers in the big stage, EDM style. The question for me is are they really looking for producer/DJs rather than DJs? Is performing electronic music live the new DJing? Will we see a whole load of novelty acts behind DJ equipment? And how on earth do you judge DJing (let’s see how the DJ builds a set expertly over the next five hours…)?

So who do you think the judges will be? Who’ll be giving lessons on pressing “play”? On fashion (I guess Paris Hilton might step up for that one). Will Q-Bert deign to provide the scratching tips ? Maybe our own Steve Canueto might be interested? 🙂

Oh, and while we’re here, let’s look again at Steve Lawler’s satire on the whole idea, just for good measure…

So what do you think? Is this a good idea? Is it part of the inevitable development / popularisation of DJing? How will such a show work anyway? And just who should they be getting in to judge it?! Comments below please…

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