Music mogul Simon Cowell is reportedly launching a brand new talent show for Disney+, where he will help create another band, mere weeks after unveiling his latest group on Netflix.
A Packed Schedule for the Music Mogul
According to reports, the 66-year-old Britain's Got Talent judge is set to join a panel for the new series 'Who's In The Band', alongside former Spice Girl Mel B. This follows the recent approval of a pilot episode by the streaming giant. The news comes hot on the heels of Cowell forming the seven-piece boy band December 10 in his Netflix documentary series, 'Simon Cowell: The Next Act'.
A television insider told The Sun that Cowell faces an exceptionally busy year, noting: 'Simon has a very busy year ahead of him — in fact, he probably hasn't been this busy since the days of The X Factor.' His schedule is said to include a potential second series of his Netflix show, the spring run of Britain's Got Talent on ITV, a new series of America's Got Talent, and an upcoming X Factor documentary on Sky.
What is 'Who's In The Band'?
The innovative format for the Disney+ show will see competitors singing the same song simultaneously while standing inside coloured tubes. The proof-of-concept recording also featured singer Joe Jonas on the judging panel. The programme will be hosted by Rei Ami, known for voicing a character in Netflix's 'KPop Demon Hunters'.
The grand prize for the winner is a coveted recording contract with a major label. While the show is initially earmarked for the US network ABC, it is expected to be available internationally via Disney's streaming platform.
December 10's Meteoric Rise
Cowell's latest venture, the band December 10, shot to prominence through 'The Next Act'. The group, managed by Cowell, consists of seven members: Cruz (19), Danny (16), Hendrick (19), John (17), Josh (17), Nicolas (16), and Sean (19).
Despite facing some scathing initial reviews, the band was officially formed after the series aired. They premiered their first music video, a cover of NSYNC's 'Bye, Bye, Bye', on YouTube on December 15. The performance was filmed in a live acoustic session at London's famed Metropolis Studios.
Cowell's Mission to Find New Talent
The Netflix series documented Cowell's nationwide search for a fresh pop act, reviving the classic audition and bootcamp format. Cowell has been vocal about his mission to discover new talent, expressing concern that the UK music industry is not signing enough breakthrough artists.
'Right now record labels aren't signing enough new talent,' Cowell told the Daily Mail. 'So the amount of UK artists who are breaking worldwide has literally fallen off a cliff because I think there is too much competition online.'
The mogul, who achieved global success with acts like One Direction and Westlife, is determined to change this landscape by proactively seeking out new performers himself, rather than waiting for them to come to him.
