NBC LAUNCHING WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERACTIVE SHOW

NBC is introducing a Web-only TV series. StarTomorrow is an interactive music competition that lets viewers choose a winning band or singing groupthat will receive a recording deal with music executive Tommy Mottola.

“StarTomorrow is an important project for us,” said Jeff Gaspin, president, NBC Universal cable entertainment, digital content and cross-network strategy. “This is the first time NBC will be distributing a network-quality program exclusively online,” he added. “We want to give consumers a new viewing experience and digital content enables us to give more scheduling and programming latitude to them, truly allowing viewers to create their own show.”

The series will be produced by The Mottola Company, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions. Dave Broome (NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope), JD Roth (The Biggest Loser, For Love or Money), Todd Nelson (The Biggest Loser, For Love or Money), John Foy (The Biggest Loser, For Love or Money), Tommy Mottola and Jeb Brien (The Mottola Co.) are the executive producers.

StarTomorrow is expected to debut this summer on NBC.com with a nationwide search that will ultimately narrow the field down to approximately 100 groups and bands that have been screened for entry into the competition. Approximately 20 band auditions will be released each week for the first half of the sixteen week series. Viewers will then evaluate them and will have a week to vote on which groups and bands will move on to the next round. The finalists will then compete in the second half of the series. The format will include covers of pop favorites and original material, but as the series goes deeper into the competition, the focus will shift more to original songs.

Additional exclusive online features will include the ability for viewers to see critical insight and advice from Mottola, as well as offer other opinions of the contestants from guest celebrities. Also, audiences will be able to stream the past series performances of each band while also viewing produced packages that personalize each group or band with footage from rehearsals, interviews and background information in a video blog-like style.

When the winning group or band emerges, its members will secure a record deal with Mottola’s Casablanca label (a division of the Universal Music Group) which will also offer career guidance.

Mottola most recently was chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment.