When NBC originally plotted out its 2026 schedule for season 29 of “The Voice,” the plan was to air one-hour premiere episodes on three separate nights during the week of February 23. But with less than two weeks to go before the “Battle of Champions” season kicks off, the network has changed its mind.
Instead, NBC announced on February 4 that it will air a two-hour episode every Monday night for the entire season, per Deadline. This means it will directly overlap with ABC’s “American Idol,” which moved from Sunday to Monday nights for its 24th season.
New Schedule for ‘The Voice’ Means ‘Criminal Minds’ Gets Pushed to the Back Burner
NBC/GettyThe new season of “The Voice” will be different than any other, with just three coaches — Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend — instead of the typical four. Twists abound, from new challenges within each round to the return of numerous past artists.
NBC’s decision to devote Monday nights to the “Battle of Champions” season means the last six episodes of “Criminal Minds,” which typically airs on Mondays at 10 p.m. Eastern time, have been “pulled from the schedule,” per Deadline, and won’t air until late spring or summer.
The schedule change announcement comes days after ABC touted to Deadline that its ratings for the season 24 “American Idol” premiere “outdelivered” and “surged past” NBC’s “The Voice” for the first time since the talent show was rebooted in 2018, moving from FOX to ABC.
Deadline did point out, however, that since “The Voice” hadn’t premiered its spring 2026 edition yet, ABC’s victory lap was based on the fall 2025 season of “The Voice.” Only once both shows are airing at the same time will ratings reveal which one draws the most viewers.
The shows will overlap one hour each Monday night, with “American Idol” airing from 8 to 10 p.m. Eastern time and “The Voice” airing from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time.
Here Are Some of the Plot Twists Coming to ‘The Voice’ in 2026
As usual, the Blind Auditions will see the coaches turn around for talent they love and then make their case to lure them to their teams. But for the first time, there will also be a Triple Turn Competition, where the coaches try to win over the most contestants who earned the most three-chair turns. According to NBC Insider, the coach with the most will get “a special advantage in the next round.”
What do they win? The coach who secures the most singers with auditions that earned three-chair turns will receive the Super Steal, which they can use once to override the other coaches’ attempts at luring a contestant they love.
This season’s Knockouts will look a bit different, too. They include an “in-season all-star competition,” with coaches bringing back two performers from their previous teams, willing to go up against one another.
“The Voice: Battle of Champions” will have a Top 9 semifinal, according to People, and then a Top 4 finale. For the first time, there will be a new voting block, made up of super fans and past artists, in addition to those voting at home. Over on “American Idol,” meanwhile, those execs are introducing live voting via social media, making it the first reality TV competition to do so.
I prefer The Voice over American Idol, hands down!
I LOVE the Voice. I did watch American Idol (in the early days) and enjoyed Kelly and then Adam SO much – those glorious voices, but from then on I wasn’t thrilled by their concept. Too much whiny drama of those not getting their ‘golden ticket carrying on against the coaches (who’d just given them a huge opportunity to sing and usually good advice). The Voice has always been classier. I only wish they’d stick to the 4 coach-format.
I’m very disappointed. It seems like they are forever changing things and not for the best in my opinion. I’ve always watched both with the Voice being my favorite until the change in coaches this season. It nay nit be a problem for those that have cable & the ability to record one of them, or has some kind of streaming service. I don’t have either. Antenna only. Probably won’t be watching the voice!
Since I love both talent shows With American Idol being my favorite I will just record The Voice and watch American Idol. So I won’t miss either one. 🙂