ABC launches singing competition format Duets

US network ABC is launching a music competition Duets as it looks to compete with Fox’s Idols and NBC’s The Voice.

The broadcaster is launching the series, which is produced by Keep Calm and Carry On Productions, this summer and it will feature Kelly Clarkson and Lionel Richie as celebrity judges.

The series will see the judges, joined by Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke, team up with a number of new singers on stage to sign duets. The winning singer will receive a recording contract with Disney-owned Hollywood Records.

The series is exec produced by Robert Deaton, who has worked on The CMA Awards and co-exec produced by Charles Wachter, who produced Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

This is not the first time a duet-based singing competition has launched in the States; Fox launched Celebrity Duets in 2006, which was exec produced by Simon Cowell before launching The X Factor.