Fox Looking To Take On ‘American Idol’ With New Singing Competition

Fox isn’t taking lying down ABC’s order to reboot Fox’s long-running singing competition American Idol, pushing forward with development of Israeli singing format The Final Four.

This franchise, licensed by Armoza Formats eliminates the pesky so-called “lousy auditions” stage of Idol, unveiling four finalists in the opening episode, as show name suggests, picked by the show’s three judges. Each week, new competitors are introduced who will attempt to dethrone one of the finalists. Show tagline: “We start with the best and only get better.”

“The Final Four is a new take on the singing competition genre, bringing all the most loved elements of music shows to the table and serving only the best of them in a way that has never been seen before,” Armoza Formats CEO Avi Armoza said back in March when the “shiny-floor singing competition” format officially was unveiled.

“And because of its unique structure, any viewer who thinks they’re good enough to challenge one of the finalists can do so through the app at any time, involving the audience throughout the season,” he added.

And, so as not to confuse fans of NCAA “Final Four,” the singing competition’s name will be changed.

ABC, in unveiling its primetime plans for next season said it would bring format changes to American Idol, which Fox execs had suggested, after losing out in talks with Idol producers FremantleMedia and Core Media Group, was coming back too soon after their network pulled the plug, owing to lagging ratings and soaring costs. Those changes will reflect “clear ABC hallmark and brand,” entertainment division chief Channing Dungey told reporters during Upfront Week.

Meanwhile NBC has been working to make its singing competition The Voice, more Idol-esque, securing some of its best-known alums, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson, to coach the coming season.

Deadline’s sister pub Variety first reported Fox was developing the singing competition.