Hewlett-Packard and Star to launch reality TV series

HP Space, an eight-episode show, will be broadcast from Singapore, bringing in talent from Southeast Asia, India, China, Taiwan and Korea. Contestants will be put on the spot every episode to brainstorm and work as teams to generate creative solutions.

Jonathan Ellis, Star’s senior vice-president, ad sales, said: “HP Space is a first-of-its-kind initiative, providing a platform for talented people across the region to unleash their creative energy.”

Interested candidates from the multimedia design, film production, product design, music, fashion or publishing industries can audition online at www.hpspace.com on August 24. Contestants in China in particular will be selected from HP’s user-generated, ‘My computer my stage’ site, which invites users to create hip-hop tracks using an online studio.

“Embracing the edgy and living up to our ‘computer is personal again’ philosophy, we have been trying to create meaningful experiences for our users. HP’s 70 years of technological innovation and Star’s leadership in entertainment is an ideal marriage to bring that experience to life,” said Ajay Mohan, vice-president marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP Asia-Pacific and Japan.

Star has also teamed with online blog Nuffnang to recruit an official blogger for the show.

HP Space debuts on 10 November through Channel V and Star World. Twelve finalists will feature in the show, with a grand prize of US$50,000.