ABC's New Music Competition Series 'Who's In The Band' Featuring Simon Cowell as Judge
ABC is currently working on developing a new music competition series called Who’s In The Band and has enlisted Simon Cowell as a judge for a proof-of-concept taping. The show aims to discover the next big music group, similar to One Direction. Joining Cowell on the judging panel are Joe Jonas, Mel B from the Spice Girls, and songwriter Savan Kotecha. Rei Ami, known for providing vocals in Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, will be the host for the show.
The format of Who’s In The Band will feature a unique twist where contestants will perform the same song simultaneously in different colored tubes. The test shoot for the show is scheduled to take place on October 30 at Eastbrook Studios in London. While the presentation will not be broadcast on ABC, it is part of the network's strategy to potentially launch a new talent competition series in the upcoming summer. ABC's long-running reality series American Idol is set to return for a new season in early 2026.
The show is produced by Yes Yes Media, a production company founded by Richard Bacon, a former television presenter known for creating innovative formats. Simon Cowell, who gained fame as a judge on American Idol, has not previously been a judge on an ABC reality series. Yes Yes Media's head of entertainment, Mark Sidaway, is involved in producing Who’s In The Band.
In conclusion, ABC is exploring the creation of a new music competition series, Who’s In The Band, with Simon Cowell as a judge. The show will feature a unique format where contestants perform the same song simultaneously in different colored tubes. This project is part of ABC's plan to potentially launch a new talent competition series in the near future.