NBC tunes up for 'Sing-Off'

Reality competition features a capella groups

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

NBC has greenlit reality competish "The Sing-Off," which will pit a cappella groups against each other in a battle sans instruments.

Joel Gallen ("America's Best Dance Crew") is set to exec produce the show, which comes from Outlaw Prods. and Sony Pictures Television.

The eight-week series will feature contestants as they perform without backing tracks or a band and compete by crooning popular, contemporary songs. Winner of the competish will receive a Sony Music recording contract.

Peacock is billing the show as the first reality competish to center on a cappella singing, and cites the 1990s success of Boyz II Men and the more recent popularity of Justin Timberlake (whose former group, 'NSync, also frequently performed multipart harmony) as the reason behind the series.

NBC/Universal Media Studios alternative topper Paul Telegdy called the show "a fantastic feel-good series" that will target multiple generations.

"To hear these singing groups recreate a popular song with only the sounds of their voices is truly amazing," he said.

Sony Pictures TV reality/syndie exec VP Holly Jacobs is handling the show for the studio. Sony plans to sell the show at the upcoming MIP TV confab in Cannes.

Besides Gallen, exec producers include Deb Newmyer and Sam Weisman.