Critics of the upcoming ABC singing competition Rising Star have finally had their questions answered about the show's planned voting technique, which has been criticized due to viewers living in different time zones.

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While appearing on The Today Show on June 12, shot host Josh Groban explained the app viewers would use to cast their votes for singers, while ensuring that West Coast viewers, who would be seeing the show on a 3-hour delay behind East coast viewers, would have their votes accounted for.

"The West Coast vote is going to matter-if somebody didn't get by with the East Coast vote alone, the West Coast vote could bump [them] over the edge," he explained.

He also explained the panel of experts-composed of himself, Ludacris, ke$ha and Brad Paisley, will have votes as well that account for seven-percent of a singer's total, and mentioned his excitement over what he calls the 'revolutionary technology' that allows viewers to see results instantly.

"As they watch the singers on the TV show, they're not having to wait until a results show, they don't have to call or text in-they're basically watching with an app in their hand," he explained. "America's the judge as to whether or not this wall will go up and the performer will go through."

Ludacris has also spoken out with his excitement over the show's revolutionary technology, which convinced him to join the panel of experts.

"What made me want to be an expert on the show Rising Star...as soon as they showed me the interactive part about being able to download an application on your phone and be actual fans that are watching the show be the judges in real time, that was it for me," he told Hollywood Outbreak. "I didn't need to know anything else."

Those who want to participate with the show can download an app (Rising Star ABC is the name) and vote in real time during the show by swiping right to vote yes for a competitor, and swiping left to vote no.

Rising Star premieres Sunday, June 22 at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Tags
ABC, Reality TV