Latino boys from across the U.S. will soon have the opportunity to convince a panel of judges that they’re the next Ricky Martin or Robi Draco Rosa.

On July 1, online entries will be available to talented (and likely visually appealing) Hispanic boys between 10 and 15 who will be given the chance to land one of five spots in the newest incarnation of Menudo.

Menudo rose to global fame in the early 1980s, making Martin and Rosa into heartthrobs in nearly every Spanish-speaking nation. In New York, their fame was so strong that an English-language single released in summer 1984, “If You’re Not Here (By My Side),” earned airplay on Top 40 giant Z100 despite the song’s failure to reach the national charts.

Martin is now one of the world’s most recognizable Latin male vocalists, while Rosa has enjoyed a highly successful career as a songwriter and performer with an impressive fan base in Puerto Rico.

Newly launched digital music entertainment discovery platform Showpitch.com is leading the quest for the five individuals who will ultimately be offered a slot in the new Menudo. The rules allow prospective contestants, boys age 10-15, to build their own “Talent Stage” microsite and upload a three-minute video that showcases their singing and dancing moves.

While the competition is open to any boy, regardless of ethnicity, the online registration page first asks to select Spanish or English as their preferred language — a hint that band members will be Hispanic. For legal reasons, the parent or legal guardian of the potential contestant must complete and submit the required forms on behalf of their child.

Once the online entry process is complete, their “Talent Stage” will then be shared with Showpitch.com’s Twitter and Facebook feeds, allowing fans to vote for their favorite would-be Menudo member. Of the total contestants, the 25 with the most social media votes will be selected following August 30 as finalists and flown to Miami, where they will perform before a panel of judges for the chance to become the newest Menudo member.

While nearly every component of the search will be conducted online and through social media, Telemundo Station Group is playing a key role in what’s being dubbed “Menudo — En Busca de la Nueva Generación.” Viewers will be able to “fully engage and join in this unique production” by visiting the local websites for Telemundo O&Os across the U.S., TSG senior vice president of sales Mike Chico said.

“The Telemundo Station Group has a robust digital offering that allows our viewers to connect and engage with our local stations while they are on the go to get the latest news and information they need or learn about exciting new offerings, such as this presentation,” Chico notes.

On the website for Miami Telemundo station WSCV,  a promotion video with Spanish narration appeared on the top left-hand side of the page and began playing.

While relaunching the iconic Menudo brand is noteworthy in and of itself, it is interesting to note that Telemundo is putting its muscle behind an initiative that won’t lead to TV programming for the Telemundo broadcast network, TeleXitos multicast network, or the NBC Universo cable platform — at least for now. That hasn’t deterred at least one sponsor, the Local Honda Dealer Association, from signing on.

Telemundo owns TV stations in Los Angeles, New York, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, San Antonio, San Francisco, Phoenix, Harlingen, Fresno, Denver, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson and Puerto Rico.

The man who introduced Latin pop and salsa rhythms to the non-Hispanic world with 1998 FIFA World Cup anthem “The Cup of Life” is set to give life — or death — to musicians hoping to be crowned the next big Banda.

Ricky Martin, perhaps the original “boy band” star of the Latin world thanks to his meteoric rise to stardom as a member of 1980s teen act Menudo, has been named executive producer and the first judge of Univision’s long-awaited answer to The X Factor, American Idol and The Voice.

Martin will be joined by other yet-to-be revealed judges on the reality competition series, which was teased during Univision’s 2015 upfront presentation some 10 months ago but won’t air until September, the network said. Mexican beauty-pageant winner and Univision presenter Alejandra Espinoza will host.

La Banda is being developed through a multifaceted partnership between Univision and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Entertainment, Haim Saban’s Saban Brands, and FremantleMedia Latin America, which is co-producing the series.

“I am very excited to be a part of this innovative program, together with Simon Cowell,” Martin said. “Our community needs musical projects in order to cultivate its talents, which is why I feel it’s the perfect moment for a show like La Banda. There is so much talent to be discovered, and I’m sure we’ll find the next musical phenomenon with the help of not only the judges but also the fans.”

In prepared comments, Cowell added: “We are on a search for a world-class band, and we needed a world class judge. I know Ricky, and he is as excited and passionate about the show as I am. I know he’s going to do an amazing job.”

Yet women are being shut out of La Banda, no matter how talented they may be.

Despite a six-city series of auditions that started March 7 in Los Angeles and included stops in San Juan, P.R.; Houston; New York; Chicago; and Miami, the goal of La Banda is to bring a Menudo-like experience to a generation born some 25 years after that act’s commercial peak. “The ultimate Latino boy band” ultimately selected by La Banda judges will score a recording contract with Sony Music Latin and Cowell’s SYCO Music — the recording label for boy band of the moment, One Direction.

In addition to the six-city casting tour, boys aged 14 and older residing in the U.S. and Puerto Rico who wished to participate on La Banda could enter at LaBandaoficial.com and upload pictures, videos or sound files of their musical talents and onstage moves.

Select online registrants, much like a character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, snagged a “golden ticket” inviting them to participate in a private audition with the Banda production team.

Martin will manage the winning band.