Good luck if you're a New Zealand fan of Australian Idol who is looking forward to watching the 5 day delayed Grand Final on Friday night. If we didn't just spoil it for you by saying that Stan Walker won, then no doubt one of the newspapers, radio or TV news already has.
This is big news. A kiwi beating an Australian. Forget that it's Idol and that given any chance to slate a local version of the show they would, just watch how the media in New Zealand feed off this over the next few days.
I predict a flurry of commentary about whether Stan's win in Australia justifies another season of New Zealand Idol. Or that if you want to make it big, you have to leave.
The fact remains, Stan's win will be backed up by something no New Zealand Idol ever had - commitment to artist development. Australian Idol has churned out more than 50 top 50 singles during its seven year run and Stan is now about to go and enjoy adding to that list.
Black Box, Stan's single, will do well here and you can guarantee the same label that gave up on Idol in New Zealand will be more than happy to support this Australian winner. Because he's a kiwi? No. Because someone else has already done the hard work.
Congratulations to Stan on becoming the second non-Australian to win Australian Idol.
TuiKiwi
ugh
regan
@bobs did you read my opening comment? This is a news story that all news agencies will cover. The only way to avoid this would be to become a hermit for the week. Going online hoping you won't come across any spoilers when the story is likely to recieve such wide publicity is stupid.
there was no point in putting a spoiler warning because I tend to believe people are smart and understand the implications of going online with such major stories. I apologise if I thought too highly of anyone.
Ultimately, this is an event that should have been broadcast live. The future of broadcast television is about event viewing. In this case, a reasonable fail on TVNZ's part.
bobscoffee
well what happened to pop idol in the uk? where did nz idol go? how has australian idol been doing in the ratings?
jhjh2000
the idol franchise is dying. how? no
ok we don't want more nz idol, but idol Format is going ok long at Television ratings
bobscoffee
Oh and as for the actual content of this article, 1. it is big news? 2. no we don't want more nz idol, in fact i bet you overall interest in the idol franchise is dying. After everyone realises that Ellen is a waste of space it's ratings will begin to fall, even after they try to add some stupid twist to the format 3. This guy will have success? The only past winner i can recall is Guy Sebastian and how many seasons of Australian Idol have we endured?
bobscoffee
Elliot sure Throng can report it that's what Throng is all about afterwards but surely Regan could have provided a warning and if he so desperately wanted to plaster the homepage with the story he could have added a Read More link to it for those who wanted to know.
ell
I don't watch it, nor care, but if I was wanting to find the winner, I would expect Throng would be a place I would find it, same if I was going to try and avoid finding out the winner. Newstalk ZB reported it without warning on their 6am news this morning and Stuff and NZ Herald both did not have it 'censored' on their mobile site at 8:30am this morning. No issue with Throng posting it.
TV2 should have played it live last night though with a replay this afternoon for those who couldn't see it last night (as it would have endedd around 11:30)
TuiKiwi
Stuff reported this too, but they had a warning in the title so it wasn't spoiled for people.
bobscoffee
You beat me to it Brian. Regan I'm sure you will have noticed some newspaper sites provide a warning to people. Maybe you should've done the same. I already found out the winner but many others may not have wanted to and you have just ruined it for them
Brian
Two words I thought you would know Regan. "Spoiler Warning"