ABC Plans Music Competition 'Who's In The Band' With Simon Cowell

ABC is developing a new music competition series titled "Who's In The Band," which aims to discover the next global pop sensation akin to One Direction or Little Mix. The show features a judging panel including Simon Cowell, Joe Jonas, Mel B, and songwriter Savan Kotecha, with Rei Ami from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters as host. A proof-of-concept taping is scheduled for October 30, 2025, at Eastbrook Studios in London, but this test recording will not be broadcast. The format involves contestants performing the same song simultaneously in different colored tubes, seeking to replicate the success of previous music competitions like American Idol. The project is produced by Richard Bacon's Yes Yes Media and will be considered for future development based on the test shoot's outcome. ABC currently continues to air American Idol, which will return in early 2026.