GRAMMY(R) AWARD-WINNING, MULTI-PLATINUM SOLO ARTIST FERGIE TO HOST NEW MUSIC COMPETITION SERIES "THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM," PREMIERING THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, ON FOX

Sean "Diddy" Combs, DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor and Record Label Executive Charlie Walk to Serve as Panelists

Eight-time Grammy(R) Award-winning, multi-Platinum solo artist Fergie will serve as host of FOX's new singing competition series, THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM. The six-episode event premieres Thursday, Jan. 4 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

"I am very excited and proud to be the host of THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM," said Fergie. "This is a unique and modern show format that I believe will set the standard for the next generation of singing competition series on TV. I am looking forward to being by the contestants' sides during what could be the most important performances of their lives. Along with these amazing panelists whom I know and love, I hope my experiences as a solo artist and as a member of The Black Eyed Peas can help guide them in their quest to make it in the music industry."

"Fergie is a genuine superstar," said Rob Wade, President, Alternative Programming and Specials, Fox Broadcasting Company. "She's fierce, she's a force in her own right and she knows exactly what these singers are going through. So who better than her to help guide them as they fight their way to the finish."

As previously announced, Grammy(R) Award-winning musician, record producer and songwriter Sean "Diddy" Combs, record-producing hit-maker DJ Khaled, Grammy-winning recording artist and songwriter Meghan Trainor and record label executive Charlie Walk will serve as the show's panel of experts. These panelists are true star-makers and are responsible for some of the biggest hits and recording artists in the music industry today.

THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM begins where the other shows end: With the best. These four top-notch singers, spanning all music genres, will fight each week to defend their coveted seats on the show, as determined newcomers challenge them and try to knock them out of the competition. The singer who is the last standing at the end of the competition will earn the ultimate prize: the panel of industry experts becomes key players on the winner's team. This elite group of starmakers will guide the winner's career to help make him or her a breakout star. To audition for THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM, please visit thefourmusic.com.

As part of the grand prize, the winner will be named an iHeartRadio "On The Verge" artist. iHeartRadio's On The Verge program provides artists with unparalleled national reach through on-air radio exposure, as well as digital and social support across iHeartMedia's powerful range of music and entertainment platforms. FOX also has teamed up with iHeartMedia to support auditions, assist in the search for talent and boost the careers of artists throughout the run of the competition.

Influencing a generation of stars to follow, Fergie remains pop's leading lady. On September 22, the eight-time Grammy(R) Award-winning multi-Platinum solo artist released her anxiously awaited visual experience and second full-length album, "Double Dutchess" - the first release for her own Dutchess Music, the label she founded in partnership with BMG this year. The Visual Experience quickly captured the No. 1 spot on iTunes, in addition to the album becoming the No. 1 pop album in the United States, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Current Pop Albums Chart, No. 4 on the Top Independent Albums Chart and No. 9 on the Top Albums Chart. It became a runaway smash globally, going Top 10 on iTunes Overall in eight countries and Top 5 on the iTunes Pop Albums Charts in 11 countries. It's gaining even more steam as she sets her sights on a 2018 world tour. This blockbuster follows up one of the most successful albums of this century, "The Dutchess," which sold 7.2 million albums and 29 million tracks around the globe and yielded three No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits: "London Bridge," "Glamorous" and "Big Girls Don't Cry," as well as Top 5 smashes "Fergalicious" and "Clumsy." She also remains a driving force in The Black Eyed Peas, whose legacy eclipses sales of 35 million records and 60 million tracks over the course of four multi-Platinum offerings. Once again, she sets the pace for pop.

THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM was created by Armoza Formats and is produced by ITV Entertainment in association with Armoza Formats. David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg, Becca Walker, David Friedman, Avi Armoza, Nehama Cohen and Moshiko Cohen are executive producers. Additionally, Sean "Diddy" Combs will serve as a producer on the series. "Like" THE FOUR: BATTLE FOR STARDOM on Facebook at facebook.com/TheFourOnFox. Follow the series on Twitter @TheFourOnFox and join the conversation using #TheFour. Check out photos and videos on Instagram @TheFourOnFox.

ABOUT ITV ENTERTAINMENT

ITV Entertainment, part of the ITV America group, is one of the largest international producers for the U.S. market and a major force in acquiring, developing and producing entertainment programming for U.S. networks. ITV Entertainment has a wide slate of series with major networks and syndicators, including HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX); "The First 48" (A&E); "The Job Interview" (CNBC); "Four Weddings" (TLC); "Big Star Little Star" (USA); "Help My Yelp" (Food); and the new "Queer Eye" (Netflix), as well as upcoming series and specials for Nickelodeon and A&E, among others.

ABOUT ARMOZA FORMATS

Established in 2005, Armoza Formats has become a key player in the international content market, rapidly growing to be one of the top independent creators and distributors of global content. Taking the best of Israeli and international creative talent, Armoza Formats spearheads the emergence of compelling content in today's dynamic market. Our mission is to meet the challenges of the fast-changing media industry with creative broadcast solutions. With over 90 formats in our catalogue and productions across the globe, Armoza Formats has a proven track record of success across all genres - from spectacular primetime entertainment show "I Can Do That!," now licensed in over 20 countries, to hit game show "Still Standing," with 5,000 episodes globally, and docu-reality format "Connected," on air in over 10 territories. Our partners are comprised of broadcasters and production companies across the globe, including FOX, NBC USA, BBC, ITV, Channel 4 UK, TVA Canada, TF1 France, RTL Germany, HBO, TV2 Norway, RAI Italy, Globo Brazil, Azteca Mexico and ZEE TV India.

ABOUT IHEARTMEDIA

With over a quarter of a billion monthly listeners in the U.S. and over 122 million social followers, iHeartMedia has the largest national reach of any radio or television outlet in America. As the leader in multiplatform connections, it also serves over 150 local markets through 858 owned radio stations, and the company's radio stations and content can be heard on AM/FM, HD digital radio, satellite radio, on the Internet at iHeartRadio.com and on the company's radio station websites, on the iHeartRadio mobile app, in enhanced auto dashes, on tablets, wearables and smartphones, and on gaming consoles. iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia's digital radio platform, is the fastest growing digital audio service in the U.S. and offers users thousands of live radio stations, personalized custom artist stations created by just one song or seed artist and the top podcasts and personalities. With over 1.4 billion downloads, iHeartRadio reached 100 million registered users faster than any other radio or digital music service. iHeartMedia's platforms include radio broadcasting, online, mobile, digital and social media, podcasts, personalities and influencers, live concerts and events, syndication, music research services and independent media representation. iHeartMedia is a division of iHeartMedia, Inc. (PINK: IHRT). Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.