“The Voice” is returning for season 29 with a major change that viewers will notice immediately: there are only three coaches instead of the usual four.

Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and John Legend make up the first all-champion coaching panel in the show’s history. While previous seasons featured four coaches, executive producer Audrey Morrissey explained that scheduling changes led to the shift.

Fewer Episodes Led to Smaller Teams on ‘The Voice’ Season 29

According to Morrissey, NBC’s addition of NBA games to its primetime lineup led to fewer episodes in season 29. With less airtime available, the show reduced the number of contestants and coaching spots.

“The hours this season are considerably less. It felt a little ridiculous,” Morrissey told Gold Derby.

Season 29 will feature 30 singers total, with Clarkson, Levine, and Legend each leading a team of 10 contestants. In comparison, season 28 included 48 contestants, with 12 per team. Season 27 also had 48 artists, and season 26 featured 56 contestants.

With only 30 spots available this season, adding a fourth coach would have resulted in teams of roughly seven artists. Producers determined that the structure would not work within the shortened format.

‘The Voice’ Introduces New Twists Alongside Three-Coach Format

Season 29, branded as a “Battle of Champions,” also includes an in-season All-Star competition. CeeLo Green will judge returning fan favorites, with each coach bringing back two former team members to compete in head-to-head battles. The winning coach could earn an extra artist in the finale.

The returning All-Stars are:

Team Kelly

Jake Hoot

Girl Named Tom

Team Adam

Javier Colon

Jordan Smith

Team Legend

Maelyn Jarmon

Renzo

This side competition also takes time within the condensed season, further explaining the reduced number of contestants.

Another notable change is the elimination of live voting. Instead, semifinal and finale decisions will be made in-studio by former contestants and designated superfans.

The Triple Turn Competition Adds Strategy to Blind Auditions for Season 29

Blind Auditions begin February 23, and season 29 introduces a new Triple Turn Competition. When all three coaches turn their chairs for a contestant, it counts toward the competition. The coach with the most three-chair turns earns a Super Steal advantage in the Battle Rounds.

In addition, the show has removed Blocks during Blind Auditions, another structural adjustment.

“The Voice” season 29 premieres Monday, February 23 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.

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