Cozi To Air Reality Music Show From Meredith

Next Great Family Band, a 30-minute weekly show produced by Meredith Video Studios, will premiere Feb. 17 on Cozi TV, the new network from the NBC Owned Television Stations division of NBCUniversal. The new series features 15 family bands from across the country, each hoping to follow in the footsteps of iconic family bands like The Jackson 5, The Jonas Brothers, Hanson and The Osmonds.

“It is the family dynamic that makes Next Great Family Band very unique,” said Seth Feldman, the show’s creator and producer and VP of branded entertainment for Meredith Video Studios. “In addition to seeing these bands rock out on stage, fans will get to know band members during family meals, homework sessions and carpool time.

Three music industry experts will critique and mentor the bands. The panel of experts includes Kimberly Locke, whose success on American Idol led her to a series of No. 1 hits; Phoenix Stone, a former Backstreet Boy and now a country artist; and drummer Samantha Maloney, who has played for bands such as Motley Crew and Hole.

Social media will play a role in the show as viewers are encouraged to comment on their favorite bands on Facebook, Twitter and the show’s website. Based on viewer’s comments, the industry experts will each choose a band to mentor the second half of the season. The three final bands will perform in a grand finale at the end of the season.

Cozi TV is available to nearly 38 million homes in the largest markets in the country, including the multicast channels of the 10 NBC Owned Stations in New York (WNBC), Los Angeles (KNBC), Chicago (WMAQ), Philadelphia (WCAU), San Francisco Bay Area (KNTV), Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS), Washington (WRC), Miami-Fort Lauderdale (WTVJ), San Diego (KNSD) and Hartford, Conn. (WVIT).