Mark Burnett, John de Mol Align for NBC Singing Competition

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC is bringing together reality show pioneers John de Mol and Mark Burnett with Warner Horizon Television to launch a new singing competition for the U.S. market that is based on a popular Dutch format.

Tentatively titled The Voice of America, the new music-based show will premiere on NBC in spring 2011. The competition is modeled after the Dutch show The Voice of Holland, which has beat out the local versions of The X Factor and Idols as the number one talent competition show in Holland.

In the series, four celebrity artists each form teams of singers that they will coach and mentor throughout the competition. Individuals will be eliminated until each celebrity has only one team member left to compete in the finals. The initial audition process is blind, as coaches can’t see the singer but can only hear them. The TV audience will also have a say in determining the votes.

The Voice of America is a presentation of Talpa Productions, Mark Burnett and Warner Horizon Television. The show is created by de Mol (Big Brother, Fear Factor), who serves as an executive producer with Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice).

"This show truly focuses on amazing voices," said Paul Telegdy, the executive VP of alternative programming at NBC and Universal Media Studios. "The celebrity coaches are passionate about discovering, developing and nurturing new talent. As soon as we saw the Dutch format, we knew this was completely different and really exciting."

"I have greatly admired John de Mol ever since I met him when Big Brother and Survivor were both premiering. He is a hit maker of the highest pedigree," said Burnett. "Voice of Holland is a monster hit and proves that viewers will always tune in to hear incredible singing voices. I’m excited to work with NBC, Warner Horizon and Talpa in producing this incredible format for America."

De Mol added: "The pickup by NBC is a huge reward for all the hard work me and my company have put in this show. It would be fantastic to see The Voice as successful in the U.S. as it is in Holland, because that would mean we trace solid new American singing talent."