The Vietnam Idol 2012 storm will make landfall at 8pm this Friday with the airing of its first episode.

Organisers said in a press release that this was the first time television viewers can watch the reality television show on VTV3, every Friday night. Previous editions were broadcast live on other channels – HTV9 in 2007, HTV7 in 2008 and VTV6 in 2010. Repeat telecasts of the episodes were carried in multiple channels.

The audition round – a "speciality" of Vietnam Idol has been always the centre of television viewers' attention in each season.

The spontaneity of competitors, the laughter and the tears and the combination of both, the euphoria of winning and sorrow of losing make for compelling drama that has riveted audiences nationwide.

"Viewers are able to see themselves when seeing this reality television show," the press release said.

Another reason for viewers to enjoy the fourth season of Vietnam Idol is the new jury panel, with "the professional appraisement of musician Quoc Trung, mischievous comments of director Nguyen Quang Dung, and humorous friendliness of singer My Tam".

The show will be on air until February next year.