The high number of registrants forced the channel to extend audition sessions. It is also expecting ratings higher than that of American Idol 3.
According to TNS, this averaged at seven to eight per cent or 272,000 to 312,000 viewers aged four years and up. Olympus is the presenting sponsor, while Chevrolet is the main sponsor, with 7-Eleven and Jean Yip as co-sponsors.
Chevrolet sponsored the recently-concluded American Idol 3 on Channel 5, which marked the US car brand's return to the Singapore market after 30 years.
Spokesman Marisa Goh said: "Judging from the popularity of American Idol in Singapore, we believe Singapore Idol will be as popular, if not, even more popular with the majority of Singaporean viewers, as it has a local connection to the viewers."
Channel 5 has been building a Singapore Idol frenzy since January through on-air promotions and by leveraging on MediaCorp's multiple news platforms on TV, radio and print. In April, TV teasers announced that auditions would be held in June. In May, it announced Idol host, Gurmit Singh, followed by the unveiling of the identity of four Idol judges on News 5.
On June 1, it held a media conference to introduce the judges, followed by auditions on June 5, 6 and 12.
Channel 5 vice-president for network programming and promotions Selena Ho said there would be movie gala premieres and music videos running in the show, similar to those of American Idol.