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?
I hate to see this happen..I am no fan of these singing shows or Reality TV shows but The Sing Off was a show that I watched and instantly became hooked on because it shows a true talent on so many levels…Creativity, artistry etc….I really hope someone out there can see how strong this show really was and brings it back…No need to change the flow or the judges…or try to add any crazy theatrics into the show…It’s a show that deserves another Season…
What a joke best show NBC had was the Sing off…. I have to agree with most of the comments of all the singing shows this best showcased what talented singers we have today.. NBC you need to rethink this decision….
Certainly a major disappointment. I was a new viewer for Season 3, having missed both previous seasons of the Sing-Off, but the talent and entertainment that Season 3 provided was amazing. I get that it didn’t have the sexiness (although probably better stated as stupidity) that either the Voice or America’s Got Talent has, but it was a far superior show. Maybe NBC will re-consider and bring it back.
In an era of glee and other fake singing shows, it was such a great change of pace to have a show featuring real groups and real people that have real talent. Not only that, but the judges (esp. Ben Folds) actually knew about music and gave good comments that would make sense in the singing world. I am so sad to learn this show was cancelled….I was hoping for more inspiration for my choir.
I definitely agree with everyone’s sentiments. Too many times, TV executives opt to go with the gimmicky programs (i.e. America’s Got Talent) instead of trying to re-tool a good and credible show by maybe moving it’s time slot or revising the number of shows. AGT is a horrible show; it’s a JOKE!!! The Sing-Off was a truly entertaining show that displayed outstanding talent. I wish some network would pick it up and run with it. I’m just happy that there is an audience for acapella music.
Nooooooooo! I am NOT a TV watcher, and am a reality TV hater. 2 series of The Voice?? Gag!! It’s horrible musically and fake fake isn’t-this-all-about-me judges – blech. The previous comments pretty much sum up my opinions of TV programming generally. The networks can’t seem to tolerate a great show! Especially one without sex, swearing, perverts committing crimes, forensics, abuse in any form, cheating, or any and all combination of these. I did think Season 2 was better than 3. I think it was a mistake to expand the field and have the 2 hour start-up shows. You can… Read more »
Loved season 3, but I watched it on Hulu because of my schedule. I also love Pentatonix and I watch them on youtube every chance I get. NBC needs to get Savvy about working these internet synergies.
We spend so much time, money, resources on shows that promote violence, sex, bad language… so when a wholesome, entertaining show with so much talent hits the air and doesn’t command the same draw, we all lose. I hope another network picks up The Sing-Off. NBC doesnt need it but another network may. I’ll be watching!
Absolute travesty. It is all said above by the previous comments. The one show that has positive judges with valuable contributions to the art of music and it is the one show that gets the axe. Poor time slot, poor promotion and it’s the show’s fault? Awful. These are the types of decisions by executives that make me shake my head in disgust. Since The Sing Off is the ONLY show I watch on NBC, I guess they lost my viewership entirely. I don’t even have to sacrifice any shows to do that. Hopefully another network will pick the show… Read more »
This was the ONLY reality/talent show that I ever actually participated (voted) in. The talent was true and special. I have purchased music from each of the winners—and a few of the groups that did not actually win. Super fun show packed with more talent than ANY of the other shows like it. Very, very disappointed in NBC not putting this show in a better time slot—or promoting it better. Good grief, you see other shows advertising ad nauseum! Shame, shame.
The Sing Off is the only show that displayed true originaliy and creativity. Watching the evolution from a Barber Shop Quartet style sound to the modern mixes of college kids sharing their cultural blends of harmonies, beatboxes, and their featured soloists brought tears to our eyes weekly. We argued all week who we thought might be sent home and cheered when our favorite groups survived. Not only were the judges technically knowledgeable but they were respectful toward each other and professionally talented performers. NBC finally came up with a unique hit but chose instead to succumb the the mindless blather… Read more »
I am also very dissappointed in the outcome but the sing off is a great show compared to all the other singing shows. It is personally one of my favorites I am upset that I missed the first season and a half that I went back and watched all of the past seasons. Promote a little better and people will know but a great show it atleast needs a final hoorah!
It is amazing that the only show that showcased real vocal talent, The Sing Off, was the one show NBC did not want to renew (of the reality singing genre). Too bad, I won’t be watching NBC anymore. This was a great show. The Christmas special brought back memories of those old Christmas specials I used to watch as a kid. It was truly a show we could watch AND enjoy as a family.
The Voice is such a joke. The SingOff featured talented singers and explored art of making music and hearing the melding of tones created by singers. Such a pity this great show won’t be returning.
All talent shows except Sing-off are a waste of time because the judges only pass through the same old thing. They understand nothing of true creativity and talent. I do not understand why networks always cater to the lowest denominator. I am so sick American Idol, I can’t stand the X factor, and I think it must be a game with the voice to put all women contestants no mater how fat or young in rediculous platform ultra high heels and then expect them to prance all over they stange and stay on key. Get real judges, most performers now… Read more »