NBC plans U.S. version of ‘Eurovision’

With Fox’s “American Idol” showing no signs of going flat, NBC has announced plans for a singing competition based on a 50-year-old European show that helped launch the careers of Celine Dion and ABBA.

The U.S. version of “Eurovision Song Contest” will combine broadcast and online elements, the network says. As with “American Idol,” which itself was patterned on the hit British series “Pop Idol,” the winner will receive a recording contract.

” ‘Eurovision’ is the granddaddy of all talent shows and the Super Bowl of singing,” said Ben Silverman, chairman of series producer Reveille.

The show will include an online competition to find singers from each state, amateurs and professionals, with the winners advancing to the broadcast series to vie for the title. Voting will be in the hands of viewers.

No air date has been announced.

In 1974, ABBA won the “Eurovision” contest for Sweden with “Waterloo.” Dion won for Switzerland in 1988, and Olivia Newton-John competed for the United Kingdom in 1974.