Adam Levine takes NBC to Songland

Adam Levine’s 222 Productions is among Songland’s producers

US network NBC has ordered an 11-episode music competition series aimed at unearthing the next generation of songwriters as opposed to singers.

From exec producers including Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, Songland (11×60’) will see budding song scribes given the chance to pitch and perform their original songs to three producers and one of the biggest recording artists in the industry. The guest recording artist will then select three songwriters who will work with the producers in the studio to bring their songs to life.

Episode one will feature Charlie Puth as the guest artist, plus producer-songwriters including OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, Grammy-nominated songwriter Ester Dean and Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter Shane McAnally.

The series is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, Live Animals, Dave Stewart Entertainment and Levine’s 222 Productions. Eurythmics co-founder Stewart and The Voice exec producer Audrey Morrisey are exec producing, Tedder is attached to produce and exec produce, and director Ivan Dudynsky, who created the concept with Stewart and Morrissey, will also exec produce.

“Songwriters shape the anthems and tell the stories of each generation, and now we’re pulling back the curtain on the collaborative process and opening the door for new talent to emerge,” said Meredith Ahr, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. “Songland will inspire music lovers and give us all a greater appreciation for the songs we love.”

Levine added: “Songland has been an ongoing passion project for both myself as well as my team at 222. As a songwriter, I am all too familiar with the challenges that face the music community today. With this new series, we are excited to provide opportunities that will not only impact these songwriters’ careers but also give them a platform to truly showcase their talent to a global audience.”

The series is the headline title on NBCUniversal International Formats’ slate and is being launched to buyers at Mipcom next week.

It joins fellow NBC show The Titan Games (10×60’), a large-scale physical competition series featuring head-to-head challenges designed to test the mind, body and heart. The series is also produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio, alongside A Smith and Co and Seven Bucks Productions.

These shows join third-party formats Crush (10×60’), a studio gameshow produced by Mediapro and Phileas Productions; Monday Productions’ real-estate show Hotel Battle (8×60’); and drag queen-themed reality series The Diva in Me (13×60’), produced by Latin American outfit Movioca.

Elsewhere, NBCUniversal is taking a range of scripted content to Cannes including Universal Television’s workplace comedy Superstore (77×30’) and The Good Place (37×30’).