ABC is betting big on live-format entertainment again, and Who’s In The Band? could be one of the most intriguing music competition launches in years. The newly ordered series brings together Richard Bacon, Simon Cowell and hitmaker Savan Kotecha for a format designed around instant decisions, real-time vocal isolation and the high-stakes creation of the next pop group.
For viewers who feel the traditional singing contest formula has grown stale, Who’s In The Band? promises a sharper, more modern twist. With a summer 2027 debut planned on ABC and Hulu, the show aims to pull back the curtain on how industry professionals actually assemble commercially viable girl bands and boy bands.
ABC officially greenlights Who’s In The Band?
After earlier development and a proof-of-concept pilot in London, Who’s In The Band? has now landed a full series order at ABC. The project had been circulating as one of the more unusual unscripted music ideas in the market, and its pickup signals confidence in large-scale event television at a time when broadcast networks are still searching for the next breakout music format.
The series comes from:
- Richard Bacon
- Simon Cowell
- Savan Kotecha
It also stands out because major new U.S. network music competition formats have become increasingly rare. That alone makes Who’s In The Band? a notable addition to ABC’s future slate.
How Who’s In The Band? works
The format is built around speed, instinct and producer-style decision making. In each round, five contestants perform the same song simultaneously while standing inside brightly colored soundproof tubes. Judges, working from their own mixing desks, can isolate individual vocals and eliminate singers in real time.
That setup gives Who’s In The Band? a very different rhythm from conventional singing shows. Instead of lengthy backstories and slow-burn judging, the focus is on what industry experts hear in the moment.
A format made for fast decisions
ABC’s new series has been described as a fast-paced competition suited to the era of snap judgments. That framing matters. Today’s viewers are used to short-form clips, instant reactions and quick talent assessments, and Who’s In The Band? appears to have been engineered with that consumption style in mind.
Key elements of the format include:
- Five singers performing the same song at once
- Soundproof performance tubes
- Judges isolating vocals individually
- Real-time eliminations
- A live finale deciding one girl band and one boy band
The end goal is not merely to crown a solo vocalist, but to build pop groups with market potential.
Host and judges: what we know so far
The proof-of-concept version of Who’s In The Band? reportedly featured Rei Ami as host, alongside judges Joe Jonas, Mel B and Savan Kotecha. However, the final on-air lineup has not been fully locked in.
Rei Ami is understood to remain involved as host, while the judging panel is expected to change. Simon Cowell, despite being one of the creative forces behind the project, was never likely to appear on-camera because of his NBCUniversal deal. Joe Jonas is also tied up as a judge on the upcoming celebrity edition of The Voice, which makes his participation uncertain. Mel B, however, may still be part of the final panel.
That unresolved casting adds another layer of curiosity around Who’s In The Band?, especially for fans of talent shows who often follow personalities as much as the format itself.
Why Savan Kotecha’s role could be crucial
One of the strongest selling points behind Who’s In The Band? is Savan Kotecha’s involvement. He is not just a producer attached for name value; he is a major songwriting force with credits linked to some of pop’s biggest artists, including Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Lizzo, Britney Spears, Ed Sheeran and One Direction.
The winning acts will record an album executive produced by Kotecha, which gives the prize a level of industry credibility many competition shows struggle to offer. Rather than simply handing winners a title, Who’s In The Band? is presenting a pathway into professionally developed pop music.
Production details and release window
Filming for Who’s In The Band? is expected to begin in January, with the series set to launch in summer 2027 on ABC and Hulu. That dual-platform rollout is important, positioning the show for both traditional broadcast audiences and on-demand streaming viewers.
The production team includes experienced names from both television and entertainment:
- Richard Bacon through Yes Yes Media
- Syco Entertainment
- Publicis Media Content Innovation
- Walt Disney Television Alternative
- Showrunners Matt Banks and Ashley Edens
Bacon will executive produce alongside Cowell, Kotecha and Elisabeth Murdoch.
Why this music competition matters for TV
In a crowded unscripted landscape, Who’s In The Band? feels like a strategic attempt to rethink the music competition genre instead of simply reviving old formulas. With Fox also developing a new version of The X Factor, networks are clearly revisiting music television in search of fresh relevance.
What may help ABC’s new series stand apart is its emphasis on group formation over solo stardom. That mirrors how many contemporary pop acts are developed: through branding, chemistry, arrangement and instant audience response, not just raw vocal power. If Who’s In The Band? delivers on that promise, it could become one of the more talked-about TV & Video launches of 2027.
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Conclusion
Who’s In The Band? is shaping up as a high-concept music competition with a contemporary edge, blending quick-turn judging, industry-led group building and a prize with genuine commercial potential. If ABC executes the format well, Who’s In The Band? could give broadcast television the fresh music event it has been missing and become a standout title in the 2027 TV calendar.
