CTV announced Wednesday it's bringing a Canadian version of "American Idol" to Canada in a new series that will make its debut in 2003.

The completely Canadian series will be based on its smash-hit cousin, "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar," which captured the hearts of millions of North Americans last summer and made an overnight sensation of 20-year-old Texan, Kelly Clarkson.

The Sept. 4 finale of "American Idol" was the most watched show of the summer when 2.1 million viewers witnessed the crowning moment for Clarkson.

Susanne Boyce, President, Programming, and Chair of the Media Group, CTV, says, "I can't wait to see the finalists for Canadian Idol. CTV is proud to bring the next Canadian superstar to the world."

The new show will be produced together with FremantleMedia / 19TV, the groups behind "American Idol" and the international format "Idols".

Plans are underway to bring auditions to several major cities across Canada. In what is expected to be a sea of competition, thousands of would-be-solo sensations will be judged on their talent, ability and style. They will eventually be whittled down to 50 contestants and then just 10 hopefuls, each of whom will perform live before a studio audience.

The rest is up to the Canadian viewing audience who will, during each broadcast, vote via phone for their favourite contestant - the contestant to poll the least votes each week will be eliminated. At stake for the winner is a major recording contract and guaranteed stardom.

Complete details of the series, its hosts and judges, including details of the nation-wide search for a superstar will be unveiled shortly.

CTV is gearing up to broadcast Season 2 of "American Idol" in advance of its "Canadian Idol" broadcast.

"American Idol" is based on FremantleMedia and 19TV's smash-hit international format "Idols" which premiered as "Pop Idol" in the UK last year. That series went on to win the "2002 Rose d'Or" (Golden Rose of Montreux), Europe's top television award.

Since then, "Pop Idol" winner Will Young, and runners-up Gareth Gates and Darius Danesh, have all charted Number One in the UK with Young posting a new world-record for the fastest selling debut single of all time.

The show has also spun out to South Africa television (winner Heinz Winckler saw his debut single go platinum within a few weeks of its launch) Poland (winner Alicja Janosz has become a national star) and of course the United States where winner Kelly Clarkson has already achieved No. 1 status in the Billboard Hot 100 charts.