The Beginning of "Idol Shows"

The original Idols format was conceived in the UK by Simon Fuller of 19TV, Simon Cowell of BMG and FremantleMedia as a televised search for a new national solo pop idol.

• The UK version Pop Idol was launched in 2001. Since then, the Idols concept has rolled into 28 countries including the US, Canada, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Malayasia, Indonesia and Singapore among others.
• Over two lakh people have auditioned for the Idols series worldwide.
• 110 million viewers have watched it so far, and over 500 million votes have been cast on the show. The UK Pop Idol recorded the highest vote of nine million calls over two hours in the 2002 finals.
• The series has launched the music career of 33 new solo singers.
• The American Idol has completed four seasons and remains one of the most watched shows in the US.

Abhiijeet Sawant became the First "Indian Idol" hosted by the Sony Entertainment Television.

Abhijeet Sawant was selected as the winner from among 400,000 registered contestants, 21,000 auditioned hopefuls, 130 selected participants and 11 finalists in Sony Entertainment''s popular music talent contest.

He bagged a Rs.10 million prize from Sony TV besides a Honda City luxury car and the offer of cutting a music album and a week's holiday with his family in Switzerland