Syco & Lifted Entertainment Prep New Music Game-Show Format

Syco Entertainment and Lifted Entertainment are co-producing and co-developing Walk the Line, a new musical game-show format for ITV.

The six-part series will give musical variety acts a chance to win a life-changing prize pot. In addition to talent, contestants will need nerves of steel to determine whether to cash out or physically “walk the line” and risk it all to stay in the competition. Walk the Line will debut on ITV and ITV Hub later in the year, with Simon Cowell heading up the panel of judges.

The TV event format sees musical acts (soloists, duos, bands or choirs) take to the stage to perform for the viewers and the panel of judges. The top two performers of the evening then face a decision in their bid to be crowned champion—to either cash out with a tempting cash prize or walk the line and play on. If they stay in and top the leaderboard, they will then progress to the next show, facing a different cast of performers. The longer the performers can stay in the contest, the bigger the prize pot, with a stay-or-play moment at the end of each show. Each night, the reigning champion will be offered an even higher cash-out prize.

Cowell said: “I am thrilled to be working with Lifted Entertainment and ITV on this new project. We wanted to develop a show that will give the contestants a life-changing cash prize if they win. Each show, there will be a champion who must make a vital decision: either cash out then and there or stay in the contest to compete again the following night and have a chance to claim the huge prize. It’s the kind of decision that will have viewers on the edge of their seats—real event TV. I’m very excited at giving musical talent the opportunity to transform their lives like never before.”

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment, said: “The format Syco and Lifted Entertainment have created has all the makings of quintessential game-show entertainment, but with a compelling twist thrown in each show. It’s great to be continuing our working relationship with Simon and I look forward to introducing this edge-of-your-seat musical game show to viewers later in the year.”

Angela Jain, managing director of Lifted Entertainment, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be partnering with Syco on this terrific yet simple to understand and dramatic idea. We have spent some months developing the idea with them and have had a blast. We want to produce a show that looks and feels different and cannot wait for viewers to see it.”