Exclusive: Nigel Lythgoe Developing Family Singing Competition for The CW

American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is in talks with The CW to set up a new singing competition at the young-skewing network.

The show, which Nigel Lythgoe Prods. would produce, would focus on finding the next big family singing group. (One insider likened it to a search for the next generation Partridge Family.)

Lythgoe is also in talks with Dick Clark Prods., which is one of the companies behind So You Think You Can Dance, to come on board as a production partner on the project.

A singing show would follow through on The CW president Mark Pedowitz's strategy of putting more original fare on the air throughout the year — including more unscripted series. Earlier this month at the Television Critics Association press tour, Pedowitz told reporters that he was eager to put a singing competition on the air. He hinted at the time that the CW was in talks with a major reality show producer — and Lythgoe would definitely fit that bill.

"In terms of reality, we're looking at a wide spectrum of things right now," Pedowitz said at the time. "A vocal show is in negotiations at this point. Whether we put it together or not, we'll see."

Lythgoe's other credits include CMT's Next Superstar and Fox's The Search for the Next Great American Band. Dick Clark Prods., run by Orly Adelson, also produces the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes. Lythgoe and the CW declined comment.

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