Acknowledging the loss right off the bat, the first episode opens with a touching tribute to Payne.

That doesn't work anymore. That's the old formula." Scherzinger is talking about Building the Band, a new singing competition that premieres on Netflix Wednesday (July 9) and finds her serving as a mentor and judge.

Liam Payne’s memory lives on in “Building the Band.” The late One Direction singer makes his final television appearance in the new Netflix singing competition — and fans are tuning in to see his last moments on screen.