After a wave of backlash from viewers calling The Voice‘s current format “unwatchable,” producers of the long-running singing competition are preparing changes for Season 28, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.
Fans have grown increasingly frustrated with how the competition is structured, arguing that it causes standout vocalists to be eliminated far too early — a sentiment that reached its peak during the Season 27 finale.
Fans Slam “Broken” Format After Finale Shocker
During Tuesday night’s finale, the Top 11 contestants came together to perform Bastille’s “Pompeii.” The performance began with the Top 5 finalists before the six previously eliminated contestants joined in — and many fans noticed a stark difference in talent.
“The eliminated contestants were better than the finalists,” one viewer wrote online. “It’s clear the show is losing its way.”
This moment reignited complaints that The Voice‘s format, particularly the short window for live performances, prevents the most deserving artists from making it to the end.
Production Insider: “The Show Hears the Complaints Loud and Clear”
According to a production source:
“The show’s format is by far the biggest issue. The blind auditions are magic — they’re what built the brand — but after that, it’s still evolving. Even 27 seasons in, there’s no perfect formula.”
“The show hears the complaints loud and clear,” the insider added. “We want the best talent to reach the finale, but some parts of the process are tough to control. Still, changes are coming for Season 28.”
Too Rushed? Too Scripted?
One of the biggest complaints this year was the lack of live performance episodes. Unlike American Idol, which includes several weeks of live shows allowing artists to grow fan bases and gain momentum, The Voice condenses its live rounds into just two weeks at the end of the season.
Fans were particularly outraged when seven contestants were eliminated in a single night during the semi-finals.
“Twelve people in the semi-finals, and seven go home? That’s absurd,” one fan said. “They deserve better.”
Another added: “Why not cut down the auditions and battles and focus more on the live shows? That’s when people start to care.”
Recap: How Season 27 Worked
- Coaches: Kelsea Ballerini, Adam Levine, John Legend, and Michael Bublé
- Phases: Blind Auditions → Battle Rounds → Knockouts → Playoffs → Two Live Shows → Finale
- Special Twists: Block buttons, Steals, Saves, and the new “Super Save,” which allowed coaches to bring back an eliminated contestant
- Winner: Adam David (Team Bublé), making Bublé a two-time winning coach
Despite Adam David’s historic win, many fans claimed finalist Renzo (Team Legend) was “robbed,” sparking further frustration over the show’s rushed structure and voting system.
Looking Ahead: Season 28
NBC has confirmed that The Voice will return this Fall 2025, and while specifics on the new format changes haven’t been revealed, one thing is clear: the coaching panel is once again shaking things up.
Season 28 Coaches:
- Snoop Dogg
- Reba McEntire
- Niall Horan (returning after a brief break)
- Michael Bublé
This new mix of genres and personalities is part of the show’s broader attempt to reinvigorate its format and appeal to a wider audience.
