WHEN Digicel Rising Stars live shows kick off on July 4, several things will be different. Some of the changes include a new host, a brand new set and a whole different format.

The first thing viewers will notice when they turn to TVJ at 8 pm come Sunday is the new look of the show. The Digicel Rising Stars’ producers have decided to abandon the basic set that has served the show for six seasons for something more high-tech. Producer Sharon Schroeter says Jamaicans will be left in awe when the new Digicel Rising Stars’ set is unveiled: “The set is awesome. It’s a very high-tech set that has never been used for a live television show locally before. We saw it and loved it instantly and we think it will just blow everybody away on July 4.”

Digicel Rising Stars will also have a new format which will see changes to the live show’s duration. Live shows on Sundays will now run for 90 minutes starting at 8 pm and ending at 9:30 pm. Unlike previous seasons, result shows will not air on a Friday night. Digicel Rising Stars will now air on Sundays only, starting with a 30-minute results segment. However the venue for the live show will remain at the Courtleigh Auditorium, the familiar location since Season four of the competition. Also, instead of a Mas Camp final concert, the Digicel Rising Stars’ producers have opted for a two-hour grand finale live show overflowing with great performances live from the Courtleigh Auditorium.

In this year’s competition, five lucky contestants will get a second shot at becoming the next Digicel Rising Star. At the first two live shows, each of the three judges will bring one contestant from the audition stage who did not get the votes to make it to the live shows — 3 Judge’s Wild Cards. Additionally, on the fourth week of live shows, the judges will collectively save one contestant who they feel was unfairly voted off – 1 Judge’s Save. And of course, as in previous years, Madam Producer will choose one person from the audition stage who she felt deserved a second chance — 1 Producer’s Pick.

The new face of Digicel Rising Stars will also be revealed on Sunday, July 4 when the person Jamaica has chosen as host will officially take up her duties. For the first time in the competition’s history, Jamaicans played a major role in deciding who will host the popular talent competition and come Sunday the country will know which host hopeful got the most votes.

Digicel Rising Stars returns to TVJ this Sunday, July 4 with Season seven boasting a new set, a new format and a new host.