Season 12 of NBC’s athletic competition series “American Ninja Warrior will premiere Monday, Sept. 7 with a two-hour episode beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
You may notice NBC scheduled the show in The Voice timeslot. That’s because according to Variety sources, Ninja Warrior is taking the place of The Voice, which sources say will no longer be ready in time for its previously scheduled premiere. The Voice season 19 will likely be ready sometime later in the fall, according to sources with knowledge of the production.
The Voice, which will feature Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Gwen Stefani as coaches, was originally schedule to premiere on Monday September 24 and Tuesday September 25. According to NBC, Ninja Warrior will feature an “abridged format with multiple rounds.” So, a shorter season than usual.
UPDATE: Sources who participated in the virtual audience say that the NEW PREMIERE DATE is Monday October 19
The Voice recently finished taping the Blind Auditions. Usually, before the season even starts, the Blinds, Battles and Knockouts are taped and a Top 20/24 are ready to go. The company that books The Voice’s studio audiences, 1iota.com, booked virtual audiences for the Blind Auditions. Right now, The Voice isn’t scheduled for any future rounds.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited production schedules. NBC posted a very optimistic fall schedule. Now, they are scrambling to fill holes left by shows that simply aren’t ready for prime time.
Another consideration: With The Voice starting late, it likely means a shortened season. The fall season of the show typically begins in late September and ends the week before Christmas. There is very little wiggle room in the schedule.
