Disney Radio Taps Fifth Harmony for THE NEXT BIG THING

After five successful seasons, Radio Disney's popular "N.B.T." (Next Big Thing) re-launches as a year-round showcase to introduce young recently signed artists on the cusp of becoming music's Next Big Thing. The newly revamped program will chronicle each featured artist's ascent from being discovered to becoming music's next superstar, and will give viewers unprecedented access into the events that take place along the way.

Epic Records' and Syco Entertainment's teen pop female vocal group and season two "The X Factor" finalist Fifth Harmony is the first act to be spotlighted when "N.B.T." makes its television debut during the world premiere of the highly anticipated Disney Channel Original Movie "Teen Beach Movie" on FRIDAY, JULY 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT). The announcement was made today by Phil Guerini, Vice President, Programming and General Manager, Radio Disney.

Guerini said, "Radio Disney is proud to be recognized as a first home for many of today's most popular young artists including Selena Gomez, Cher Lloyd, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Austin Mahone. This exciting evolution of 'N.B.T.' elevates our commitment to being the first to introduce our audience to tomorrow's next big music stars, and we are honored to be joining forces with industry legend LA Reid, Epic Records and Syco Entertainment to introduce Fifth Harmony as the initial act to launch our new format."

LA Reid, CEO and Chairman of Epic Records, commented, "It gives me great pleasure to partner with Radio Disney to launch America's Next Big Thing, Fifth Harmony."

Fans will have behind-the-scenes access as "N.B.T." charts young recording artists on their journey to becoming music's Next Big Thing - from the recording studio to music video shoots and concert tours across the country. The program will take place across multiple platforms including Disney Channel, Radio Disney, RadioDisney.com, Disney.com and social media sites, as well as at live Radio Disney events in local markets with new featured artists to be introduced on an on-going basis throughout the year.

The first look at "N.B.T." spotlights Fifth Harmony as they prepare for the fall release of their debut album. Viewers and listeners will get an exclusive look as the internet sensation goes into the recording studio, hits the road on a nationwide summer mall tour, films their Radio Disney music video for the single "Me & My Girls" and then Planet Premieres the single as a Radio Disney exclusive on TUESDAY, JULY 16 (4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET). Currently one of the most watched vocal groups on YouTube, Fifth Harmony was put together by Simon Cowell and is comprised of individual "The X Factor" contestants Dinah Jane Hansen, Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke, Normani Kordei and Camila Cabello.

In its first five seasons, "N.B.T." put the spotlight on over 30 undiscovered and unsigned young recording artists, providing them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms as part of a musical talent competition. The program launched the careers of Allstar Weekend, Coco Jones and Kicking Daisies, among others since its inception in 2009.

Radio Disney is the #1, 24-hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free phone line to the Radio Disney studio. The network's current playlist, driven by listener requests and representing major record labels, includes recording artists Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, One Direction, Katy Perry, Cody Simpson, Carly Rae Jepsen and Cher Lloyd. The network is available on 31 owned terrestrial radio stations and is also available via RadioDisney.com, Sirius XM satellite radio on channel 79, iTunes Radio Tuner, mobile phones, the Radio Disney iPhone and Android Apps, and the Radio Disney Facebook page.