Although “The Voice” is now in its 29th season, the show is still changing things up.
The long-running show, which this season is called “The Voice: Battle of Champions,” is unveiling a new format — everything from the coaching lineup to the contestants to the voting.
Here’s what to expect from the new season.
‘The Voice: Battle of Champions’ coaching lineup
One of the biggest changes on “The Voice” this season is the coaching lineup — only three red swivel chairs are needed this season instead of the usual four.
Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend will fill the chairs this season, and it’s the first time in the show’s history that all of the coaches featured in a season have won at least once (Clarkson has won four times, Levine has three wins and Legend has one), per TV Insider.
The smaller coaching lineup stems in part from NBC bringing the NBA back into its prime-time lineup — cutting into “The Voice” schedule, as the entertainment site Gold Derby reported.
“The hours this season are considerably less,” showrunner Audrey Morrissey told Gold Derby. “If they’d kept four coaches, the teams would have been too small. It felt a little ridiculous.”
Each coach will get 10 singers (30 contestants total) on their team — a significant drop from the 48 featured last season.
Former ‘Voice’ contestants will return for ‘Battle of Champions’
While “The Voice” will feature new contestants competing throughout the season, the show is also bringing back former contestants for an “All-Star Showdown.”
Each coach will bring back two former contestants from their teams over the years to compete in sing-offs. The coach with the most sing-off wins gets an extra artist in the finals, TV Insider reported.
Former contestants returning this season include:
- Adam Levine’s team: Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner; and Javier Colon, Season 1 winner
- Kelly Clarkson’s team: Girl Named Tom, Season 21 winner; and Jake Hoot, Season 17 winner
- John Legend: Maelyn Jarmon, Season 16 winner; and Renzo, third-place finalist on Season 27
‘The Voice’ major voting change
Perhaps the most significant change this season is the voting system. Viewers tuning in at home won’t be able to weigh in and cast their votes during the semifinals and finals.
Instead, the voting this season will be in the hands of a studio audience made up of super fans and former contestants. The in-person audience will cast their votes in real time and the show will reveal results on the spot.
When does ‘The Voice’ air?
The new season of “The Voice” premieres Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. MST.
Episodes will air on Monday nights and be available for streaming the following day on Peacock.