The producers behind mega-hit phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL take the musical reality genre to a whole new level with a mission to find undiscovered American bands that are ready to rock the nation, starting with the special two-hour series premiere of THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND (working title) Friday, Oct. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. The show will air in its regular time period on Fridays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

From hair bands to hip-hop, classic rockers to country crooners, THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND (working title) scoured the country seeking musical groups of all ages and styles, with hundreds of bands auditioning for a backstage pass to stardom.

From the auditions, judges will narrow down the hopefuls to 10 semifinalist bands who will perform weekly in front of a live studio audience. Viewers will vote for their favorite bands to determine who stays in the competition.

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Each week, the bands will perform either original music or covers of varied styles. The range of genres will test their musical limits, and could also strike the wrong chord in their personal and professional relationships.

The season finale brings the ultimate battle of the bands, with the last three groups competing to secure a contract with 19 Recordings and the title of "Next Great American Band."

The series' host and judges will be announced soon.

THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND (working title) was created by Simon Fuller and is produced by 19 Entertainment and FremantleMedia North America. Simon Fuller (19 Entertainment), Nigel Lythgoe (19 Entertainment), Ken Warwick (FremantleMedia North America) and Cecile Frot-Coutaz (FremantleMedia North America) are executive producers. Charles Boyd is co-executive producer.

About 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (NASDAQ: CKXE), was founded by Simon Fuller 21 years ago and acquired by CKX in March 2005. The company is recognized as a leading creator, provider and promoter of globally successful, music-based entertainment, or "Entertainment Brands." Fuller, who serves as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Entertainment, is the creator of AMERICAN IDOL in the United States and "Pop Idol" in the UK, as well as versions of the IDOL format in more than 30 countries around the world. Fuller has made music history in the UK and the U.S., producing a stream of No. 1 hits and managing multi-platinum-selling acts. He became the world's most successful manager � breaking a record set by the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein in the 1960s � when three of his artists occupied the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 positions on the U.S. singles chart as well as the No. 1 position on the album chart. 19 Entertainment has been involved in the creation of 109 No. 1 singles and 87 No. 1 albums in the UK alone, with an impressive tally of 296 Top-40 albums and 465 Top-40 singles.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is a division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and highest-rated entertainment on television, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL (FOX), "America's Got Talent" and "Thank God You're Here" (NBC), "American Inventor" (ABC), "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" (Oxygen), "Property Ladder" (TLC), "Family Feud" (syndicated), and the longest-running game show in television history, "The Price Is Right" (CBS). FremantleMedia is one of the largest international creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world with leading prime time drama, serial drama, entertainment and factual entertainment programming in over 40 countries worldwide. FremantleMedia is a subsidiary of RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is 90% owned by Bertelsmann AG, an integrated media and entertainment company that commands leading positions in the world's media markets. For further information, visit http://www.fremantlemedia.com.