NBC To Launch Online Battle-of-the-Bands Reality Series

In a move underscoring the shift--from promotional platform to distribution outlet--in how major networks use their Web sites, NBC this summer will launch a reality series on NBC.com.

Called "StarTomorrow," the talent-search series seeks to tap into the popularity of both "American Idol" and music on the Web. Over a 16-week period, 100 bands will compete for a record deal.

In "Idol" fashion, record mogul Tommy Mottola and guest celebrity judges will offer their opinions of the bands, but the public will determine the finalists and winners via Internet voting.

For the first half of the competition, 20 bands a week will audition in hopes of advancing to the finals. Then, the second half will include a battle of the bands to determine a champion.

The series will be ad-supported, although no details were available. Consumers will be able to view the series in non-linear fashion, picking and choosing which auditions and head-to-head battles they want to view--even opting to make their own judgments sans the opinions of Mottola et al.

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Word of "StarTomorrow"--NBC's first online-only series--comes only a few days after NBC made unaired episodes of cancelled series "The Book of Daniel" available for on-demand viewing on its Web site. Mottola, a series executive producer, is the ex-chairman-CEO of Sony Music Entertainment. The "StarTomorrow" winner will receive a contract with a Mottola label that's part of Universal Music Group.

In another move with an "American Idol" overtone, NBC has joined with "Idol" creators Simon Cowell and FremantleMedia to create a summer reality series--for linear television--where performers will compete to headline a Vegas show. Viewers will determine the winner among contestants with talents including singing, dancing, comedy, and other acts of stagecraft.

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