NBC reportedly planning Motown miniseries

LOS ANGELES, June 3 (UPI) -- NBC is planning a 12-hour miniseries on the history of the legendary U.S. musical powerhouse, Motown, Thursday's Daily Variety reported.

The paper said the network is collaborating with de Passe Entertainment on the project, which is based on the autobiography of Motown founder Berry Gordy -- "To Be Loved: The Music, The Magic, The Memories of Motown."

The miniseries, envisioned as an ambitious project along the lines of HBO's "Band of Brothers," would feature a soundtrack including hits by Motown stars such as Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, the Temptations and Stevie Wonder.

"The story of Berry Gordy's Motown is the soundtrack of America," Jeff Gaspin, NBC cable entertainment president, said. "I can't think of a better way to bring excitement back to the miniseries genre."

The project, however, has not been greenlighted yet. Variety said it would not be ready for air until the 2005-06 season.