NBC SINGS NEW REALITY TUNE WITH �HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME,� FRESH NEW COMPETITIVE SERIES BEGINNING JUNE 2 THAT MATCHES FORMER MUSIC HIT-MAKERS WHO PERFORM AND COMPETE FOR AUDIENCE VOTES

BURBANK, Calif. -� May 4, 2005 -- NBC has added a new alternative series to its summer 2005 lineup with "Hit Me Baby One More Time," a one-hour competition program featuring veteran music hit-makers who will each perform their greatest hit -- as well as cover a popular contemporary song -- with the favorite to be determined by audience voting, beginning Thursday, June 2 (9-10 p.m. ET).

All three episodes of the series will be hosted by Vernon Kay, who also hosted the British version on ITV.

The announcement was made by Craig Plestis, Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming & Development.

"This exciting new series will reunite the audience with some of their favorite classic musical performers and groups who will play their hits and then compete against each other in an entertaining battle of the bands," said Plestis.

Also included in "Hit Me Baby One More Time" will be background packages on what made the hit-makers famous as well as updates of their current lives and careers.

Kay is a veteran host (or "presenter") in the United Kingdom whose credits include "Head Jam" and "Boys and Girls." He also appeared as himself in the feature film "Shaun of the Dead."

The new series joins six other original alternative series that NBC recently announced would premiere this summer.

"Hit Me Baby One More Time" will be produced by Granada America. The executive producers are Paul Jackson ("Nanny 911," "Hell's Kitchen"), Curt Northrup ("Celebrity Fit Club," "America Princess"), Michael Agbabian & Dwight D. Smith ("Last Comic Standing," "Weakest Link"), Daniel Soiseth ("Hell's Kitchen," "Big Brother 4") and Stewart Morris ("Brainiac," "Million2One")