In today's time and age it is virtually impossible to turn on your television and not see some sort of "reality" tv program; from relationships to the executive business realm to even catching the biggest of fish, there's a reality program for just about any and every aspect of our lives. Some of the most popular amongst the entertainment spectrum in reality tv are the singing competitions such as American Idol, X Factor, and The Voice. It seems that shows such as these, especially the 12 year running American Idol, are turning out and shining light on more music artists than the traditional channels of artist management agencies, but based on the contractual agreements, is being a reality tv contestant really the better deal?
Although the X Factor gives the most attractive payout for its winners at a whopping $5 million and a recording contract, the fine prints of the contract may not be so alluring. Just to appear on the show, a potential contestant must sign away rights to any performances during and after the show, be it in English or any other language. Furthermore, those rights are allowed to be used by X Factor, and any others, in all formats of media known or unknown to man beyond our world into the entire Universe. Wow! So in other words, as a contestant who does not win the show, you better have some memorable performances that impress the right people because your hard work will not be available for you to use to promote yourself on any planet or media format yet invented, ever. The X Factor's contracts seem to bind and prevent its contestants more than provide to them.
Similarly, The Voice's contract appears to be more geared toward protecting the allowances of the show and network than anything related to promotion or development of the contestants' music careers. The NBC show, contractually, seems to be able to create its own "reality" based on the fine prints that state they can change the rules of the show any time they want, disregard their own voting system, and eliminate a contestant even if he/she has the popular vote with the viewing public. Not only are The Voice's contestants signing away their right to a fair competition, but also to the secrecy of such. If a contestant were to divulge the details revealing the "non-reality" of the show, he/she could find himself in court being sued for $100K to $1 million. How's that for reality?!
Of the three popular singing competition "reality" shows, American Idol by comparison offers the better deal, at least for the top 13 contestants and if the label decides to sign any of them. The winner of the contest gets $175,000 both at winning and when he/she starts recording the first album. However, the winner is obligated to record six albums with the label behind American Idol, 19 Group, before he/she can make it to millionaire status. This may not sound so bad to most aspiring artist, but for an artist like Fantasia Barrino, who has sold almost three million albums and won several awards including a Grammy, still being obligated to record three more albums despite all of her accomplishments in hindsight may not have been the best deal after all.
With all the stipulations defined by the fine print of reality competition signing shows today, one has to wonder if it is better to work with an, all be it less known, manager or management agency. A local manager or management agency may not be able to promise instantaneous fame, limelight, and rapidly growing bank account right away, but an artist should at least be able to take comfort in knowing exactly who he/she is working with and that their management is working on their behalf and not that of a network or people who are already rich. There is a trust and loyalty factor that is allowed to be built when working directly with your own manager. Even though competition singing shows are making a huge impact in the music industry, contracts with them are not necessarily made with the artist's best interests in mind. So for future potential contestants, do your homework or at least get a lawyer to review the contract before you just sign on the dotted line.
