SFX and Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment team up to create the "ULTIMATE DJ" show

Source: Simon Cowell's FB Page

This morning SFX released a press release announcing a new partnership and Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment and T-Mobile to create a brand new music show competition called the "ULTIMATE DJ". This idea of a DJ reality show has been with Simon Cowell for some time now as he once tried to bring it to fruition all the way back in 2012. But now with SFX as a partner, which has been described as a "real game-changer", it looks like Simon Cowell's DJ show is finally becoming a reality. 

Here's how the "ULTIMATE DJ" show is going to work: 

"Launching initially online, the music event competition will feature producer-challenges where DJs will be invited to submit recordings for fan voting via social media. From there, the competition will move on to live challenges and performances in SFX event venues, integrating next-generation production design from SFX partner companies."

Robert FX Sillerman, the Chaiman and CEO of SFX said that "building a TV franchise in the USA is a key part of that strategy". Now that the concept of a DJ show is becoming a reality, I just hope that they get it right and showcase our scene in the best of light. This show will certainly not appeal to everyone currently enjoying our music, especially within the underground scene. But if the "ULTIMATE DJ" manages to create new electronic dance music fans and allows for greater acceptance within the general population, then it will be positive. 

I'll keep an open mind about the upcoming "ULTIMATE DJ" show, and hope that the collective brain power over at SFX and Syco will make sure that the series avoids the cliched reality TV pitfalls. 

The start time of the "ULTIMATE DJ" show is still unknown but if you want to read the full press release, click here. 

SFX acquires the organizers behind Electric Zoo

Here's a snippet of the original statement about the SFX acquisition of the makers of Electric Zoo, Made Events:

"Although Electric Zoo will continue to be developed by the same team that has been on board since its inception, being part of something larger provides us with many new opportunities, like exciting technology that will improve the festival experience both online and at our events, creative collaboration with other SFX companies, and bringing Electric Zoo to new locations around the globe." 

Does that mean Electric Zoo might hop the border north to Canada? Here's what the CEO/Chairman of SFX, Mr. Robert F.X Sillerman had to say about the deal:  

"In a separate statement on the purchase, SFX chairman and CEO Robert F.X. Sillerman described Bindra and De Palma, as "the ultimate industry professionals," and said that they plan "to develop the Electric Zoo brand internationally and have the opportunity to build other SFX brands in the U.S. with the support of Mike, Laura and the team at Made."

Sounds ambitious. When I went to Electric Zoo back in 2011, it was one of the best organized EDM events that I've ever experienced.

 (Source: Resident Advisor)

 

You will soon be able to buy a piece of SFX Entertainment

According to Reuters, SFX Entertainment, the company that has recently bought a 75% stake in ID&T (Tomorrowland/World, Sensation, etc), will be going public to raise up to $175 million on NASDAQ:  

"SFX said it intends to use the proceeds of the IPO to fund acquisitions, working capital and general corporate purposes."

Robert F.X. Sillerman, the head of SFX, will give you the opportunity to directly benefit from the EDM boom, will you buy in?  If the answer is yes, lookout for the SFXE ticker once their IPO goes live.

 

Breaking news: SFX Entertainment buys 75% stake in ID&T

Quoted from the New York Times:

"On Thursday, SFX Entertainment will announce that it has bought 75 percent of ID&T, a Dutch festival promoter, for $102 million in cash and stock. The deal, perhaps the biggest in the market so far, will give SFX a major foothold on the global festival circuit as it tries to build a $1 billion media empire centered on dance.​"

​ID&T, the company behind such major festivals as Tomorrowland/TomorrowWorld and Sensation, is now primarily owned by Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment. This deal now values ID&T at $136 million. SFX Entertainment recently made headlines by purchasing Beatport for a reported $50 million. The purchase of ID&T now firmly establishes Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment as a global leader in the electronic dance music industry.

Another little tidbit gleaned from the article is that Live Nation is reportedly in "advance stages of takeover talks" with Insomniac, the company behind Electric Daisy Carnival. If this sale comes to pass then this will leave SFX Entertainment, Live Nation, Made Event, and Ultra as the only big players left on the American landscape.

Could a Canadian EDM company be next on the acquisition radar? SFX Entertainment and ID&T have already announced their entry into to the Canadian market with the announcement of Sensation Canada so anything is possible. Judging by the speed of acquisitions made by SFX Entertainment, I wouldn't be surprised if they announce the purchase of one of Canada's largest EDM companies such as Ink Entertainment, Prodkt, Playground, or Blueprint Events in the future.

Robert Sillerman's SFX Entertainment buys Beatport

As reported by New York Times:

​"Mr. Sillerman declined on Tuesday to reveal the price. But two people with direct knowledge of the transaction, who were not authorized to speak about it, said it was for a little more than $50 million."

Like I stated in a previous post, Beatport stands at the heart of the online electronic dance music world and Robert Sillerman's ​SFX Entertainment now owns what is likely to be the most valuable EDM property on the web. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, SFX Entertainment will do with Beatport, but this purchase is a bold move that now puts Robert Sillerman at the forefront of the EDM boom.

(Source: NYT, VIA @elektro)