NBC Kicks-off Holidays with 'Sing-Off' Competition Series, 12/14 -12/21

NBC plans to spend the holidays with a new music competition series. Network sources have confirmed "The Sing-Off," in which a cappella groups compete for a Sony Recording Contract, will premiere Monday, December 14 at 8:00/7:00c. Additional episodes (all at 8:00/7:00c) will also air Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16 with the season finale on Monday, December 21. Each installment will run two hours."

A capella music has been the basis and inspiration for many top musical acts on the charts from Motown to Boyz to Men. Recently it has been the focus of national tournaments and exploded in popularity on college campuses all over the country. With a strong fan base and largely untapped talent pool, it has never been the center of a musical competition until now. The best of the best are going to compete on a national stage. From Joel Gallen's ("America's Best Dance Crew") Tenth Planet Productions, Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, "The Sing-Off" will feature the country's top a cappella groups performing popular songs like you've never heard them before. There's no lip-synching, back-up bands or safety net. They'll be singing for America's vote with the winner walking away with the ultimate prize - an Epic Records/Sony recording contract.

The Sing-Off production crew recently held open auditions for candidates in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles throughout September. 

Two years ago, the Peacock launched "Clash of the Choirs" in a similar December rollout strategy. Deb Newmyer, Joel Gallen and Sam Weisman are behind "Sing-Off," a co-production of Outlaw Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television and Tenth Planet Productions.

NBC also plans to give its comedies an extra boost the week of December 28. Four episodes marathons (all starting at 8:00/7:00c) are set for "Community" (Monday, December 28), "Parks & Recreation" (Tuesday, December 29), "The Office" (Wednesday, December 30) and "30 Rock" (Thursday, December 31).