2018 has already been a massive year for a freshly reunited ABBA — and NBC is getting in on the tributes. On Friday (May 4), the network officially announced an ambitious, star-studded two-hour special dedicated to the legendary Swedish pop group.
The special, which will air in December, promises to pay homage to some of ABBA’s classic songs, with a variety of artists performing hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “The Winner Takes It All” and “Take a Chance On Me.” The news follows the recent announcement that ABBA will debut their first new song in 35 years, performed by a virtual “avatar” version of the band on a massive world tour.
The worldwide telecast will be produced/directed by Johan Renck and executive produced by Simon Fuller. Es Devlin is onboard as set designer. Said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group at NBC Entertainment in support of the upcoming project: “This network is also thrilled to be the home of brand new ABBA music for the first time in decades. It’s a gift.”
In addition to the new music and the TV special, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again — the sequel to the 2008 movie based on the megahit Broadway musical Mamma Mia! — hits theaters in July.