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The Voice season 28 premiered on Monday, Sept. 22.
The show’s upcoming season is shaking things up with some rule changes.
Features like the Carson Callback Card and Mic Drop are bringing a fresh vibe to the competition series.
Believe it or not, NBC’s The Voice has been airing for 14 years, and the reality singing competition has become a cult-classic thanks to its unique audition process. Aspiring artists pull up to a live studio audience as four successful musicians (who later become coaches) listen to their performances without looking at them. Through the blind audition process, contestants are chosen based on their vocal ability rather than their looks.
However, for the show’s latest season, the network is shaking things up a bit. From the blind audition process to the Knockout round, here are all the changes coming to The Voice season 28.
Blind auditions now have a Carson Callback Card
Per People, host Carson Daly has implemented a new wildcard during the blind audition. The Carson Callback Card allows him to “surprise a deserving artist of his choice who receives no chair turns with a second chance.”
NBC
Contestants choose who they’re up against during the Battle round
The changes don’t stop there. After making it through the blind audition, contestants move into the Battle round, where a pair competes for a chance to perform in the Knockouts.
Historically, coaches would choose who performed against each other in the Battle. This season, Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Snoop Dogg are sitting in the backseat as their contestants choose who they’re up against.
NBC – Getty Images
Coaches get to use a Mic Drop button in the Knockouts
Coaches pick the winner of the Knockout round, but now, they also get to use a new feature: the Mic Drop button. Think of it as a mini competition within the competition—coaches press the button when a contestant on their team blows them away.
Then, one Mic Drop contestant from each team is voted on by viewers at home. The performer with the most votes will not only be crowned the Mic Drop winner, but they’ll take the stage at The Rose Parade Presented by Honda on January 1, 2026. C’mon, democracy!
Only one artist from each team will advance from the Playoffs to the Lives
Once contestants move on from the Knockout round, they’re officially in the Playoffs—aka the final round before the Lives, where they compete for the grand prize of a recording contract.
This season, each coach will select one contestant from their team to go to the Lives, as opposed to past seasons, where they got to choose two performers. The stakes are higher than ever as Steals are no longer an option. ICYMI, each coach used to have the option to “steal” the losing contestant from another coach’s team to advance through the competition on their team instead.
Only six performers will advance to the Lives, as each of the four coaches chooses one of their team members, and at-home viewers will vote on the two final contestants competing until the finale.
NBC
The Voice season 28 premiered on Monday, September 22. New episodes air on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST and air on Peacock the next day.
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