N.B.T. Season 5 to Premiere on Disney Channel & Radio Disney, 10/12

Radio Disney and Disney Channel will introduce the "N.B.T." (Next BIG Thing) season five artists when the popular musical talent competition premieres during the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie "Girl Vs. Monster" on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), and throughout the day on Radio Disney. This season's winner will perform on the hit Disney Channel series "Austin & Ally," have a new single released by Disney Music Group and be the opening act for popular Radio Disney recording artists at the "N.B.T." finale concert and winner announcement this December in Los Angeles. In advance of the season premiere, Radio Disney will debut each artist’s first "N.B.T." single on Monday, September 17, and singles will be available on iTunes Tuesday, September 25.

New to this season, Radio Disney and Disney Channel audiences will get a preview of each artist in their hometowns. The featured artists, ages 12-17, are R&B singers and actresses Chloe and Halle Bailey; acoustic pop singer and actress Katherine Hughes; R&B singer, dancer and actor Damian Otchere; modern rock and pop singer, songwriter and musician Jack Skuller; and pop singer, songwriter and actress Elle Winter. In addition to their own singles, new to this year’s competition, each artist will also perform a popular cover song. Throughout the season, viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look as contestants work with mentors including pop recording artist Cher Lloyd who’s single "Want U Back" hit #1 on Radio Disney’s Top 30 and top 10 on Mediabase’s Top 40, Ross Lynch and Laura Marano of Disney Channel’s hit series "Austin & Ally," and "N.B.T." season four winner Shealeigh.

"N.B.T." season five voting will commence on Friday, October 26 (7:00 p.m., ET/4:00 p.m., PT). This season fans will have more chances to vote for their favorite artist with the addition of Twitter voting, and an expanded 10 votes per day per platform, which also include RadioDisney.com, Radio Disney’s Facebook page, and via texting* "NBT" to DISNEY (347639). Each artist will receive equal play and exposure, and at the end of each round, will face elimination based on listener votes.

Hosted by Radio Disney on-air personality Jake Whetter, "N.B.T." is a daily multiplatform competition that launched the careers of Hollywood Records recording artist and Disney Channel star Coco Jones ("Let It Shine"), as well as Kicking Daisies, Shealeigh and Allstar Weekend, and puts the spotlight on aspiring young recording artists and provides them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms.

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, One Direction, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Cody Simpson, Mindless Behavior and Adele. 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.