EUROVISION SONG CONTEST - EUROVISION IMPORTED TO US

Europe's biggest music competition is being adapted for American viewers by US TV network NBC.

The EUROVISION SONG CONTEST, an annual multi-nation battle of bands and singers, launched the careers of mavericks including ABBA and CELINE DION.

The US version will feature a band or singer representing each one of the 50 US states.

BEN SILVERMAN, who has acquired the rights to the show, says, "Imagine the Montana cowboy, the Detroit Motown star, the New Jersey alternative band and the Tennessee crooner all going up against one another."

The show's winner will receive a recording contract, and will get to release their winning song.

The as-yet-untitled show will debut later this year (06).