NBC SETS DEC. 9 AS RETURN DATE FOR SEASON FOUR OF "THE SING-OFF"

Annual Holiday Series Showcases the Country's Top A Cappella Groups

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Oct. 9, 2013 - NBC has set Monday, Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) as the premiere episode of the new season of the holiday series "The Sing-Off."

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

This year's season will run for seven episodes, with the finale set for telecast on Monday, Dec. 23 with a two-hour episode (9-11 p.m.)

The program showcases the country's top a cappella groups performing popular songs in ways that viewers have never heard them 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.

Nick Lachey will return as host. As previously announced, Jewel will join the judges table this season alongside Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman, who are both returning.

"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, Sam Weisman and Jane Mun are also executive producers.