The program, patterned after the Dutch series "The Voice of Holland," is likely meant to compete with the hit Fox series "American Idol" and that network's upcoming American version of the British talent show "The X Factor."
Auditioners for the series will be judged by a panel featuring four coaches who are also pop music artists. The coaches will listen to the auditions with their backs to the contestants so they can only hear their voices. A coach who likes a performance can push a button, which will send a contestant to the next round; that contestant will become one of the coach's students. If more than one coach likes a contestant, the contestant may choose a coach.
Each coach's team will compete against each other, with the final performances airing live and the winner determined by audience voting.
John de Mol, who created the Dutch series, will co-produce the American version with NBC and Mark Burnett Productions.
Air dates and other details for "The Voice of America" will be released shortly.