NBC HITS THE HIGH NOTES AS IT RETURNS POPULAR A CAPPELLA COMPETITION SHOW "THE SING-OFF" AS NEW SERIES DURING HOLIDAYS

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 20, 2013 - NBC has picked up the popular a cappella competition show "The Sing-Off" for a new series commitment as a holiday strip over several nights later this year, it was announced today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC.

"To all of the loyal fans of 'The Sing-Off' who asked us to bring the show back - we heard you loud and clear! No other singing competition so genuinely showcases the unique talents and creative camaraderie of the best a cappella singers in the country, putting 'The Sing Off' into a class of its own. The distinctive sounds and boundless spirit of these groups make the perfect soundtrack for the holidays," said Telegdy.

"The Sing-Off" originally premiered in December 2009 as a five-night event and became a weekly series in 2011.

"'The Sing-Off' showcases great talent and a musical form I love," says executive producer Mark Burnett of One Three Media, which will be producing the series this year. "It's very special, and we're excited to be involved."

The program showcases the country's top a cappella groups performing popular songs like viewers have never heard them before. As before, "The Sing-Off" has no lip-synching, back-up bands or safety net. They are singing with dreams of walking away with the ultimate prize -- a recording contract and $100,000. The host and a team of celebrity judges who will critique the singing groups will be named later.

"The Sing-Off" is produced by One Three Media (a Hearst/Mark Burnett company) along with Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Mark Burnett (NBC's "The Voice") is the executive producer. Deb Newmyer and Sam Weisman also are executive producers.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from NBC shows, please visit http://www.nbc.com and NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/

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