Mark Burnett is taking his latest series to the network that launched his first big success in the United States.

CBS outbid several other networks for the rights to the tentatively titled "Rock Star," a talent competition that aims to find a new lead singer for INXS. The show is set to debut in summer 2005.

"INXS is one of the world's premiere rock bands, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for someone," Burnett says. "Rock stars offer rich material for the reality TV world. They are colorful personalities and charismatic performers who make great reality TV characters."

The deal marks Burnett's return to CBS, which launched "Survivor" in 2000 and cemented unscripted TV as a ratings force. He has since set up shows at three other networks (NBC, FOX and The WB) while continuing to oversee "Survivor," which remains a top-10 show after eight installments.

The new show -- "Rock Star" apparently isn't its final name -- will fill two hours a week next summer. Like "American Idol," it will feature live performances by the people hoping to win the gig with INXS and a weekly elimination determined by the band, viewer voting and a panel of judges. It will also include taped segments showing how the contestants interact while living together.

Former INXS singer Michael Hutchence died in 1997, and the band has not recorded a full album since then. Several temporary frontmen have worked with the group in live shows and on the recording of a few singles.

Burnett will conduct auditions in the United States, Canada, England, Japan and Australia -- INXS' home country -- for the series, with the finalists moving to Los Angeles for the competition.

Several networks reportedly bid for the show, but Burnett was attracted to the opportunities for synergy at CBS. The network is part of Viacom, which also owns music-oriented cable channels MTV and VH1 and Infinity Broadcasting, one of the biggest players in radio.

CBS, naturally, is happy to have him.

"We can't think of a better formula for success in the summer than Mark Burnett, rock music and a competition style reality show," CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem says. "We think Mark and his team have developed a concept that will generate excitement worldwide, will appeal to a broad audience here in the States -- and has tremendous synergistic potential with other Viacom platforms to create a huge television event in the summer of '05."