Well, there’s one singing competition that won’t be back next season. The Sing-Off has been cancelled after three seasons on the NBC.
Hosted by Nick Lachey, this TV series seeks to find the most-talented a capella singing group in America. Judges have included Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman, Nicole Scherzinger, and Sara Bareilles. The judges decide who advances to the finale and the final winners are determined by viewer votes. The champs take home a Sony recording contract and $200,000.
The Sing-Off began in December 2009 as a short-run series with just four episodes. It did reasonably well — averaging a 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic with 6.9 million viewers — so the peacock network brought it back for season two.
It returned in December 2010, expanded to five episodes, and the ratings rose 26% — to an average of a 2.9 in the demo with 8.6 million viewers.
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NBC decided to take another chance and give The Sing-Off a two-hour timeslot on the fall schedule with 11 episodes. That gamble didn’t pay off and the ratings were much lower. By the end of the season, The Sing-Off averaged a 1.5 in the demo with 4.56 million.
On our NBC Ratings Report Card, which measures the relative demo performance of TV shows on the network, The Sing-Off has an “C-” grade. The network has now cancelled the show.
NBC could have brought it back for another limited run, perhaps over the summer or in December but were likely hesitant to flood their schedule with yet another singing/talent competition. America’s Got Talent has been very successful for them over the summer months and NBC plans to run two cycles of The Voice next season. There just wasn’t a place on the schedule for The Sing-Off any longer.
What do you think? Do you think NBC should have kept The Sing-Off, perhaps run it in December? Are you sorry to hear that it’s been cancelled and won’;t be back for a fourth season?
This seems to demonstrate the problem in the music industry. People are more interested in promoting a personality instead of the talent. I thought that the Sing Off was by fr the most amazing showcase of true talent that has aired in recent years. I enjoyed being able to step away from the madness and sub plots of the other signing shows an just listen to skilled artists make incredible music with their voices. My friends and I would actually get together and watch the show together. Oh well, I guess there’s no reason to watch NBC anymore. Smh.
It is SO sad when a great show like Sing-Off gets cancelled! I agree with Charlie, and Staffordtexas is right about the length. Maybe if it were shortened. . . . .
What a disappointment! This was by far the best singing competition show out there. The contestants were truly talented. And the judges (who are actually KNOWLEDGEABLE about music!) gave worthwhile, constructive advice and criticism. Another reason to quit watching tv.
I am so saddened about the “SING OFF” cancelled… It truely is /was the best talent show ever.I truelly loved the judges they were so REAL and have amazing talentand could pick out amazing singers. I was really looking forward to the new season!!!:0((((-
Hard to believe that a show with real talent get the boot and a farce like Americas Got Talent survives. I rarely watch NBC so I guess now I’ll watch it even less.
This is very sad news! 🙁
I really wish it would be continued. I was just waiting until it came back on this year, but I guess I will have to watch something else. Those groups were absolutely amazing, and unique individuals. I will miss this show.
Wow,I was just talking about this show today with friends and how much we all love this show and the great talent. What is the matter NBC? This beats most of the other shows of this nature and runs neck and neck with The Voice.
Was by far the best vocal talent on TV wish they would have continued to run 5 episodes series blows all the rest away
It was the 11 episodes that killed it. Didn’t need so many. It is a great show that makes music literally come alive.
I really enjoyed this program. Great vocals.
Watched it once. Nothing special, won’t be missed.
Not surprised, but definitely saddened by the cancellation. Of all the singing competition shows on TV, this was by far the least authentic – with the pre-recording of each episode and then meticulously mixing and tuning the vocals before the show aired. Only in the live finale did you actually get to hear what those final few groups sounded like “Live” – unlike the other singing shows where you see the contestants in their true light the entire time. That all being said, I was still a huge fan of the show and definitely disappointed to hear it’s not coming… Read more »
The Sing off was by far the most professional and enjoyable showcase for music talent on TV.
I am saddened by this loss and the ongoing move of TV to gimmicks emphasizing phony judge behavior rather than the real talent in their music programming.
Charlie
The-Sing Off was fantastic. I applaud that they promoted real talent on that show. American Idol and the Voice completely pale in comparison and Americas Got Talent is the worst show I have ever seen. I am very sad to hear about the Sing Off.