KING-NBC To Air MLS Sounders Show Finale After Super Bowl XLIII

Seattle-based KING-NBC will air the finale of its reality series "The Sounders Super Search" live after the national broadcast of Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, according to Michael Malone of BROADCASTING & CABLE. The series will document fans attempting to gain a spot of the MLS Sounders '09 roster. While KING is "obligated to stick with network programming directly after the Super Bowl," the Sounders show, in which the winner of the contest will be announced, "will air right after that." The show will be hosted by Sounders announcer Kevin Calabro. KING VP & Station Manager Pat Costello said that the idea for a "soccer-style 'American Idol,' a joint venture between the station and the team, came after the MLS' Chivas USA club conducted an open tryout, with the winner getting a spot on the practice squad." The Sounders are "hosting tryouts around Seattle on three successive weekends in November, with standouts selected to appear on 'Super Search'" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 11/10 issue).