The Voice returns with 1.4M metro viewers, tops the night

Nine Network’s The Voice returned last night to an overnight metro viewing audience of 1.4 million. It was the top rating show of the night but these were its lowest launch figure in its five seasons.

The Voice easily toppled the return of Masterchef, which Ten scheduled for the same time to 1.012 million tuning in.

The Voice was most-watched in the 18—49 and 25—54 demographics while it was the 16—39 group for Masterchef.

The scheduling clash affected the numbers for both. Last year, when The Voice returned in June, it was to 1.557 million metros while the finale was 1.552 million. The cooking show’s 2015 return had drawn in 1.231 viewers.

The Voice is an important test for Nine this year, which has had lacklustre ratings for Australia’s Got Talent and Renovation Rumble.

At the same time, the show’s also up against the wall for two reasons, given that each season costs $25 million to make. Since its 2012 debut, it has lost almost half its viewers, from its original 2.43 million to last year’s average of 1.47 million.

It’s also been slammed for the fact that none of its winners – Karise Eden (2012), Harrison Craig (2013), Anja Nissen (2014) and Ellie Drennan (2015) – have had enduring success in Australia, or had global breaks despite the mentorship of the Madden Bros, Jessie J, Ricky Martin (this season replaced by Ronan Keating) and Delta Goodrem.

The judges argue their role is to mentor and teach them skills, and global recognition was the responsibility of Universal Music which provides a record label as part of the prize (which this year also includes $100,000 cash and a Mazda car).

Last night, the Maddens were picked as mentors by three of the acts. 21-year-old Sydney plumber Blake Morgan admitted that in his teens he would go to sleep listening to their Good Charlotte records. Melbourne 21-year-old Maddison McNamara, who’s done with her work timber finishing at her father’s factory, was hailed for “a beautiful voice” by the twins.

They also told Lexi Clark from western Sydney, “We want to find an artist” after a performance that belied that at the age of 16 she lost her speaking voice after tonsillitis surgery.

Goodrem was picked by Alfie Arcurie, a 27-year-old architect, whose mother pasted Delta’s photo on the family fridge during her daughter’s cancer treatment.

Jessie J will coach 22-year-old musician and single father Jack Pellow. Goodrem and Keating had also made their pitches for Pellow to join their teams. But Jessie J snared him by shrieking “I frigging love you, man!”

Jack Pellow

Two wanna-be’s missed out on any of the red chairs being turned around.

26-year-old Sydney musician Ace Avenue who performed the Keating penned When You Say Nothing At All, had the blow lessened when Keating joined him onstage for a duetof the song.

Brisbane’s clothing retail assistant Claire Fabri was told by her professional medium mother just before her appearance that Jessie J would turn around for her.

Nine is certainly keeping its music viewers staying on after The Voice.

Last night it screened a Richard Wilkins-hosted tribute to Prince. Tonight it’s the Adele In New York special at 9 pm. Tomorrow sees the return of Lip Synch Battle which last year rated between 1 million to 1.1 million in Australia.