Next Star for Canadian kids

The Next Star (YTV) — Reality TV is taking over the tube, and seeping into the kid market now. This latest addition is one your youngsters might want to catch. This Canadian production is going to find a promising singer under 15 from a group of six finalists. The show runs for 13 episodes, right into September, and seems to be focused more on learning — we’ll see all six of the kids get vocal coaching, style guidance and help with media interviews — than elimination. All six finalists will get a song on The Next Star CD, and the final winner, who is selected by viewers’ votes, gets a recording contract. The mentoring team includes Suzie McNeil from Rockstar: INXS, songwriter and original VJ Christopher Ward and music industry exec Steve Cranwell. Airs Thursdays at 6 p.m. starting July 18.