‘The Voice’ UK is BBC’s biggest entertainment show in a decade

The Voice UK has been declared a hit by the BBC and producers Wall to Wall, following the announcement that the show was the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment launch in a decade.

The talent show, which was won by Leanne Mitchell and coach Sir Tom Jones, had a consolidated series average of 9.2 million (38.5% share) viewers.

The figures are higher than the first series launches of Strictly, X Factor and I’m A Celebrity.

Ratings for The Voice UK climbed through the Blind Auditions and Battle Rounds, but the show struggled when it reached the Live Shows. The show hit a low of 4.49 million at the semi-final stages, but it did recover for the final which was watched by 8.7 million.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen, who gambled on purchasing the rights to the John de Mol reality series, said: “The Voice has broken all records for a new entertainment show on the BBC.

“I’m really proud of the coaches, artists and producers who have achieved this. It’s great for BBC viewers that we have launched a new Saturday night entertainment show that has had such a big impact and connects so well with BBC values.

“There are also inevitably things you learn in the first series of a big new show, and we are confident that The Voice will return even stronger next year.”
Leanne Klein, creative director at Wall to Wall Television, said: “Wall to Wall is very proud to have produced such a successful debut series.

“The Voice is a global phenomenon and the UK version is undoubtedly one of the very best. We look forward to working with Talpa and the BBC on the second series, using what we’ve learnt to make it even bigger and better for 2013.”

The Voice UK will return for a second series in 2013 on BBC One. Hopefuls can find information on the auditions at bbcthevoiceuk.co.uk.