Channel 4's Popworld franchise has launched a new unsigned bands thingy called Popworld Promotes. Unsigned bands will be able to upload their songs to a Popworld website, where viewers will be able to comment and vote - you know the kind of thing. The most popular band from the project will get to headline a Popworld gig at the Hard Rock Café as well as an appearance on the show.
Simon Fuller, one of the shareholders in Popworld Limited, announced the new venture thus: "Popworld Promotes will help discover unique, raw talent that might not otherwise get noticed. By bringing together the best of what the internet can offer with the power of television, Popworld Promotes offers artists a unique opportunity to be seen and heard."
Of course, getting an appearance on Channel 4's pop show may or may not be a good thing - it all depends on how many music fans dump the show from their viewing schedules when presenters Simon Amstell and Miquita Oliver quite next month. MTV / Xfm presenter Alex Zane is currently favourite to replace Amstell, though no word on who will take over from Oliver. Alex Zane, of course, is one of MTV's better hosts and deserves a wider audience, though taking over from Amstell is a tall order - the Amstell/Oliver partnership having been so key to the success of an otherwise pretty run-of-the-mill kids pop show.
The all new look Popworld kicks off on 22 Apr.