EXCLUSIVE: Music competition series Who’s In The Band? has finally scored a series order at ABC.
The Disney-owned network has officially greenlit the show, which comes from Richard Bacon, Simon Cowell and Savan Kotecha.
It marks the first new major music format for a U.S. broadcast network in some time and comes at the same time that Fox is developing a new version of Cowell’s The X Factor.
Deadline revealed that the project was in the works last year with a proof-of-concept pilot shot in London. For that taping, KPop Demon Hunters star Rei Ami as host with a panel of judges that included Joe Jonas, Mel B, and Kotecha.
Deadline understands that the deals for hosts and judges isn’t finalized but Ami is understood to remain as host. The judging panel, however, will be shaken up. Cowell was never going to be in the series, as he has a deal at NBCUniversal that precludes him from appearing on an ABC show, and Jonas is now a judge on the upcoming celebrity version of The Voice, but Mel B could still be part of the show going forward.
Who’s In The Band? is described as a “fast-paced competition built for the era of snap decisions.”
Five contestants sing the same song at once, each inside a brightly colored soundproof tube, while judges at their own mixing desks isolate vocals and eliminate hopefuls in real time. The series gives audiences an inside look at how top music industry professionals put together pop groups today, culminating in a live finale where one girl band and one boy band face a live vote.
The winners will record an album executive produced by Kotecha, who has written songs for the likes of Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Lizzo, Britney Spears, Ed Sheeran and One Direction.
Filming will begin in January and the show will launch on ABC and Hulu in the summer of 2027.
It comes from Bacon’s Yes Yes Media, which is backed by Sister Group. Bacon devised the project and will produce alongside Syco Entertainment, Kotecha Publicis Media Content Innovation in association with Walt Disney Television Alternative.
Bacon is a well-known broadcaster in Britain, hosting shows such as Blue Peter and The Big Breakfast before moving into production. He was behind ABC’s Craig Ferguson-hosted game show The Hustler, which was produced by The Traitors producer Studio Lambert, as well as British series including This Is My House and I Literally Just Told You.
He will exec produce alongside Cowell, Kotecha and Elisabeth Murdoch. Matt Banks and Ashley Edens will serve as showrunners and will also exec produce.
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