NBC'S PROMISING NEW SINGING COMPETITION SERIES "THE VOICE" (WORKING TITLE) ANNOUNCES OPEN AUDITIONS IN CITIES ACROSS AMERICA IN 2011

As Previously Announced, NBC Teams Up with Leading Reality Show Pioneers John De Mol, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television to Bring Holland's Blockbuster Vocal Talent Discovery Series to America in Spring 2011

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - December 17, 2010 -- NBC's promising new competition series "The Voice" (working title) announces open auditions in cities across America beginning January 14, 2011. As previously announced, NBC has teamed up with hit-making reality show pioneers John de Mol, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television to bring Holland's top-rated vocal talent discovery show, "The Voice of Holland," to America in Spring 2011.

"The Voice" is a show about real talent, the best voice, right attitude, unique sound and performance that makes a lasting impression. The producers are looking for all musical styles. If selected, singers will be mentored by music industry professionals, compete weekly in front of a panel of coaches, and America will decide which singer will be worthy of the grand prize. Contestants should be prepared to share their personal stories -- and why they are a star in the making. Applicants must be at least 18 years or older and a legal U.S. resident to apply.

Details for the open auditions are below:

Chicago
Friday, January 14, 2011
Location: Superior St., 2734 W. Superior St.
Chicago, Ill. 60612

New York
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Location: S.I.R. Studios, 520 W. 25th St.
New York, N.Y. 10001

Miami
Friday, January 21, 2011
Location: S.I.R. Studios, 12200 NE 14th Ave.
N. Miami, Fla. 33161

Nashville
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Location: S.I.R. Studios, 1101 Cherry Ave.
Nashville, Tenn. 37203

Minneapolis
Friday, January 28, 2011
Location: Taylor Sound, 2921 N. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, Minn. 55411

Austin
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Location: Music Lab, 500 E Saint Elmo Rd.
Austin, Texas 78745

Los Angeles
Friday, February 4, 2011
Location: CenterStaging, 3350 Winona Ave.
Burbank, Calif. 91504

Seattle
Friday, February 11, 2011
Location: S.I.R. Studios, 3631 Interlake Ave. North
Seattle, Wash. 98103

For more information and to register for these auditions, please visit: http://www.nbcthevoice.com/

The show's innovative format features three stages of competition. The first begins with the blind audition, then the competition enters into a battle phase, and finally, the live performance shows.

During the blind auditions, if a coach is impressed, he/she pushes a button to select the contestant for his/her team of competitors. At this point, the coach's chair will swivel so that he/she can face the contestant he/she has selected. If more than one coach selects the talent, the power shifts to the contestant, who may choose which coach he/she wants to work with throughout the competition. A contestant is eliminated when he/she is not selected by any coach.

Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches will mentor the contestants and make them over, and ultimately will transform their superlative voices to allow the singers to become star artists. To help them decide who they want to advance, the coaches will pit two of their own team members against each other to sing the same song in front of a studio audience. Based on this, the coaches will pick who they want to continue developing and who should go home.

In the final performance phase of the competition, the top contestants from each team will compete against each other during a live broadcast. The television audience will vote to select who will move on from each team and who will be eliminated.

At last, each coach will have their best contestant left standing to compete in the finale. From these four, one will be named "The Voice" and will receive the grand prize of a recording contract.

"The Voice" is a presentation of Talpa Productions, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television. De Mol is creator and also is an executive producer with Burnett.