The Voice open calls are back! Virtual Open Call registration is open now. The first batch of virtual auditions are happening June 8, 9, 21 and 22. Singers must be 13 years or older to audition. All musical styles accepted. Click for more info.
While mulling whether to audition or not, here is an interesting thought to consider. Next week’s virtual open calls are the first summer dates in TWO YEARS. Typically, The Voice holds open calls roughly twice a year to cast for cycles months in advance. But, NBC nixed The Voice spring cycle this year to premiere a new competition show, American Song Contest. Hence, no need for summer auditions in 2021?
Be assured that casting for the fall 2022 cycle is complete. The upcoming season will likely premiere in September and will feature Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Camila Cabello as coaches. Usually The Voice films fall cycle Blind Auditions in June. There is nothing yet on the 1iota.com calendar for studio seating. But keep your eyes peeled. NBC has all summer to tape the rounds. NBC schedules The Voice tapings around the celebrity judges’ busy schedules.
There is evidence NBC is casting for a The Voice spring 2023 cycle
Consider this language from The Voice Auditions Eligibility Page:
If you are selected as a participant, you must be willing to travel to and reside at one or more undisclosed locations in the United States for several weeks at any time in October 2022 and May 2023 (or as otherwise scheduled by Producer). Economy travel to be paid for by Producer.
October is usually when NBC tapes The Blind Auditions for the spring cycle. While it could be boilerplate ‘just in case” language, it feels like NBC is gearing up for another cycle of The Voice beyond fall 2022, that will happen sooner rather than later. While NBC probably has hopeful contestants in the pipeline, it makes sense to conduct more casting in early summer for a spring cycle that begins taping in the fall.
American Song Contest failed to register with fans
NBC replaced The Voice this spring with a new competitive reality show, American Song Contest. But by The Voice standards, it bombed, averaging around a 0.5 rating in the key 18-49 demo. American Idol’s numbers beat them by several ratings points, every Monday ABC aired the rival show.
The only way American Song Contest comes back on the schedule is if NBC turns the series into a shorter event. And at this point, The Voice is tried and true and one of the few series that can compete with American Idol in the time slot. It won’t be surprising if the network reverts The Voice back to two cycles a season.
And it would NOT be the first time! When The Voice premiered in spring 2011 and it became a huge ratings success, NBC struggled with a decision. Air the series once a year, or risk burn out with a two-cycle season? That fall, NBC aired an expanded version of the a’cappella competition The Sing-Off and the ratings were a disappointment (Fun fact: Pentatonix won the season and went on to become big stars, bigger than anything to come off The Voice).
So, NBC opted to air The Voice twice a year, and that actually worked out well for the network. In the past few years, ratings began to sag, however. NBC announced it would cut back The Voice to fall only.
The network will probably not renew American Song Contest, or it will revamp the format and schedule it elsewhere (maybe streaming only!) What will NBC program on Mondays next spring? Stay tuned to find out.
Blake Busch added to this report
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