The season finale of Infinity TV’s popular reality show, “Street Smarts 2,’ drew to a successful close as Khadija Soulaiman, a 19 year-old student from Algeria, was crowned the winner of the show. Khadija was awarded US$100,000 by Infinity TV in recognition of her creative and personal skills, sharp thinking, team work and the ability to build alliances as well as to outsmart team mates. Following the overwhelming success of the second season, which drew 24 million viewers over the course of 15 weeks, Infinity TV, the leading entertainment television network, has also announced plans to launch Street Smarts 3, the third season of the Middle East's first-of-its-kind reality television show, in April, 2007.
‘Street Smarts 3' will retain the format of the second season, wherein all the contestants of the show will be split into two mixed teams and will be judged on their expertise and skills through 15 intense and intellectually motivating assignments in business, entertainment and creativity. Rolling out the new edition of the season 3, Infinity TV aim’s to increase the reach and appeal to the show. Similar to Street Smarts 2, the decision of the winner will be based on a voting system by audience and the judgment of the jury panel at the end of the season.
“Street Smarts 2 has been an eye opening experience for me and helped me to increase my confidence level whilst also developing my business skills. I have always believed that talent alone is not enough to be a star - equally important is strong determination and a desire to excel. ‘Street Smarts 2’ is a Smarts search show that epitomizes this view, blending style and substance and I am very grateful to Infinity TV and Street Smarts for giving me this great opportunity,” said Khadija Soulaiman.
‘Street Smarts 2’, the second season of the highly popular reality TV show, turned out to be a huge success following its launch in September 2006. The show bucked the trend of unsuccessful reality TV programmes in the Middle East, by proving that a culturally sensitive reality show could be hugely popular. Street Smarts 2 featured 16 Arab participants who were judged on their expertise and skills through 15 different assignments. Over 4,500 applications were submitted from all around the Arab region, and the final contestants chosen came from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Oman and Algeria.
“As the region’s premier and hugely successful reality television show, Streets Smart 2 was able to generate much excitement for the Arab youth throughout this contest. We are committed to exploring and developing the immense, un-exposed talent in this region and we will continue to offer the youth across the Middle East even more exciting opportunities that can make a big impact on their lives,” said Taleen Kirresh, host and presenter of Street Smarts 2. “All contestants displayed extraordinary talent and zeal throughout the season and impressed audiences and judges alike.
Launched in Dubai in October 2004, Infinity TV produces a variety of entertainment and educational programmes including films, sitcoms, documentaries, musicals, children’s and sports programmes that suit the tastes and preferences of different audience segments. The Dubai Media City-based television channel is broadcast free-to-air via Nile Sat, Hotbird and Arabsat.
"The success and popularity of this reality show have driven us to launch the third edition, which we believe will be an even bigger hit. Viewers can be assured of greater excitement and new twists in Street Smarts 3. The success of the past two seasons were largely due to the creativity and the intense challenges that we put the contestants through, which makes this show different from any other programme on air today and we hope to continue this success in the new season,” Said Ziad Batal, Executive Producer of Street Smarts.
