Sing Out China launched

     BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhuanet) -- "Sing Out China," the Chinese edition of wildly popular global television phenomenon "The X Factor," was launched on Sunday under the aegis¹ of British TV impresario² Simon Cowell, who is serving as lead producer of the Chinese show and sent a taped greeting to kick off the talent search.

    Versions of "The X Factor" have appeared in over 30 countries and regions around the world. British conglomerate³ FremantleMedia, which owns the copyright to the original show, was reported to have sent an entire production team to offer guidance in the making of the Chinese version.

    "Sing Out China" will visit six regions nationwide, including Beijing, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Liaoning, whose province-level TV network is spearheading the competition.

    Sources also disclosed that Cowell might make an appearance in Beijing to participate in the final round judging.（本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑）

1 aegis   

n.盾；保护，庇护

参考例句：

• Medical supplies are flied in under the aegis of the red cross.在红十字会的保护下，正在空运进医药用品。
• The space programme will continue under the aegis of the armed forces.这项太空计划将以武装部队作后盾继续进行。

2 impresario   

n.歌剧团的经理人；乐团指挥

参考例句：

• The impresario will present an expanded series of concerts next season.下个季节将举办一次大型的系列音乐会。
• The impresario had buttoned his astrakhan coat.乐团经理扣好了羔皮外套。

3 conglomerate   

n.综合商社，多元化集团公司

参考例句：

• The firm has been taken over by an American conglomerate.该公司已被美国一企业集团接管。
• An American conglomerate holds a major share in the company.一家美国的大联合企业持有该公司的大部分股份。