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NBC Readying Online Music Competition Series

Feb 2, 2006  •  Post A Comment

This summer NBC will premiere an online-only series for NBC.com in which bands and recording artists will compete for a record deal with a veteran music producer.

In “StarTomorrow,” an interactive music competition, viewers will select the band or artist that wins a recording contract with Casablanca Records executive Tommy Mottola. Unlike Fox’s broadcast series “American Idol,” only viewers will play a role in selecting the winner to the “StarTomorrow” competition.

Jeff Gaspin, president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment’s digital content and cross-network strategy, announced the series Thursday.

About 20 band auditions will be released each week for the first half of the 16-week series. Viewers will then have a week to vote on which groups and bands will move on to the next round. The finalists will compete in the second half of the series. The format will begin with artists performing cover songs but will shift to original material as the competition continues.

Instead of a home studio, “StarTomorrow” will be shot at four regional locations across the country. Additional online features will include commentary from Mr. Mottola and guest celebrities, plus footage from rehearsals, interviews and video blogs.

The series will be produced by The Mottola Co., 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions. Mr. Mattola, Dave Broome, J.D. Roth, Todd Nelson, John Foy and Jeb Brien are executive producing.