Lowest figures for The Voice finale, The Sound launches on ABC TV
The season nine grand final of Nine’s The Voice Australia drew 911,000 metro viewers on Sunday, while 871,000 million watched Chris Sebastian’s crowning.
“They were the lowest figures for The Voice grand final,” Mediaweek’s James Manning told TMN. “It would be very disappointing for Nine, as it’s rumoured to be their most expensive TV show.”
The actual show itself was compelling, given that the four finalists – Sebastian, who admitted he had issues being overshadowed by brother Guy, raw to the bone Stellar Perry, 18-year-old rapper Siala Robson and one time US teen attraction Johnny Manuel – put in top-notch performances.
The Voice had strong competition last night, including MasterChef Australia (1.151 million metro viewers and topped the demos) and runaway success Murder in the Outback (961,000 metro).
The post-pandemic look with two overseas judges on TV screens and no audience cheers and spoiled the atmosphere. But The Voice’s grand finals were losing traction anyway.
The very first grand final, in 2012, reached 2.749 million. Last year it was 1.019 million, with 1.028 million in 2018 and 1.231 million in 2017.
Sebastian pocketed $100,000 and landed a deal with EMI Music Australia, which has issued The Complete Collection of songs he performed on the show, and his new single ‘Bed For 2’.
“A huge congratulations to Chris on his great win in tonight’s grand finale of The Voice 2020. What an incredible talent,” the label’s managing director John O’Donnell said.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the EMI roster and congratulate him and all the artists who made it through to the grand finale.
“Our congratulations also go to the amazing coaches and to Channel Nine and ITV who worked together so well, particularly under the cloud of COVID-19, to deliver a really great season.
“All of us at EMI look forward to working with Chris on new music.”
Meantime, ABC TV’s The Sound made its debut with 117,000 nationally for the first of the six-part series.
A partnership between the ABC and Michael Gudinski’s Mushroom Vision, it put Australian live music in “prime time”, with two-thirds of content new music, according to Gudinski.
The first episode showcased DMA’S, Lime Cordiale, New Zealand pop singer BENEE and debut hip hop act Jerome Farah with his post-BMA anthem ‘I Can’t Breathe’ performed in a barbershop.
It also celebrated Australian music with sets by Mark Seymour & The Undertows, Nick Cave, Kate Ceberano and Steve Kilbey, with Eskimo Joe performing their first single in eight years.
Regular segments include From The Vault (Midnight Oil doing ‘US Forces’ from the 1980s) while the Tribute segment featured Greedy Smith from Mental As Anything.