ABC is jumping back into the reality singing-competition genre and adding a twist. The network has given a 10-episode series order to “Boy Band,” a show that will pit singers against one another in a battle to join the next music-group sensation. Produced by Matador Content (“Lip Sync Battle”), the series is set to debut this summer.
No host or judges have been selected yet, but insiders say that ABC is out to a number of boy-band and girl-band members past and present for the role of host and for the judges panel. The judges will be called “architects,” and will serve as mentors. Performers will compete for spots in a band with a recording contract at Hollywood Records, with viewers voting live at home for their five favorite potential members. “Boy Band” will be executive produced by Todd Lubin, Jay Peterson, Jane Mun, and Joel Relampagos.
Broadcasters had cooled on singing competitions in the last two years, with Fox canceling stalwart “American Idol” last season amid ratings declines. But the genre is now picking up steam. Producer FremantleMedia is shopping a rebooted version of “American Idol,” as Variety reported exclusively in February. The Peacock also greenlit “The Stream,” a singing show that will focus on digital and streaming musicians bouncing off of the success of artists like Justin Bieber.
No hit musical act has been launched by a singing-competition series since One Direction appeared on the U.K. version of “The X Factor” in 2010 and Fifth Harmony appeared on the same show in 2012.
