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?
The sing off was the best talent show, sucks that it has been canceled.
I join the others here in my dismay that The Sing-Off is not returning. As a choral director for 35 years, I know that this show really showcased actual musical talent beyond the screaming we get on other shows. These people were MUSICIANS who had to use their voices to produce every sound in the songs from vocal to instrumental. They had to LISTEN and blend and stay in tune without the benefit of the sound system “tuning” feature. I am tired of the shows where people are berated, humiliated, and abused. This show never did that. We have all… Read more »
I always looked forward to Sing Off each week. I loved watching the groups create their own music and even perform with each other. The comraderie on the show was like I’ve never seen. The judges gave excellent criticism with the purpose of growing the groups as performers. I would watch Sing Off over any other reality/talent show like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, etc. Please bring it back!
I don’t think I can say it any better than those commenting below me. Sing-off was truly a one-of-a-kind show. To cancel it now, without capitalizing on the success of Pitch Perfect…stupid move.
WOW oh WOW it was a great show with great judges! So very very disappointed Loved the no frills talent
I am very disappointed. I fell in love with these artistsQ Committed and Pentatonix are my favorites. I never missed an episode! I would record them and replay all of my favorite performances. These acapella groups are so talented! Like, it is crazy how amazing they are by what they can do with their voices! I just can’t believe The Sing Off is cancelled. My heart is broken.
Super lame…one of the best shows ever…and I bet after pitch perfect a bunch of people would have watched it…disappointed.
Probably THE BEST vocal show on TV and YOU drop it! Nice move NBC! I am already bored with AI and X-factor etc. Just really started sharing my enthusiasm with all my friends, especially after Pentatonix. I recently downloaded everything they had and looking for the next season. Well, no reason to watch that channel anymore.
I am extremely dissappointed 🙁 I actually don’t think I will support NBC anymore even though I love the voice, simply because I loved the sing off so much. It was pure tallent! Yet they keep a circus like America’s Got Tallent on the air? What a dissappointment 🙁 I guess it’s a result of our society, but if NBC had kept it on they would have done a great thing giving them a name as a station that encourages tallent and culture, now it’s obvious that they only care about ratings and not about the quality of the shows… Read more »
How ridiculous!!! The sing-off had the best singing voices of all of the singing shows. It was the only singing show that didn’t look fixed. There were great harmonies on the sing-off instead of boring singing voices like the other shows. NBC had something special and dropped it. That’s one of 2 shows that I actually watch on NBC. Many of their only shows are very disappointing, but they are on for years and years. They had the best judges as well. They left out the lame drama, and they really gave great feedback as they actually knew music.
This is ridiculous! I just watched the movie Pitch Perfect and ranted and raved to my friends that they now need to watch The Sing-Off. Low and behold, I realize it’s cancelled! What the heck! You know how many people will be drawn to acappella after watching that movie?! The Sing-Off was an amazing show that no other networks have. True, raw talent.
The sing off is full of great talent and deserves to comeback! I was mad to see it was cancelled!! We recorded it and watched it faithfully. Voted for our favorites and enjoyed the entertainment! Bring it back!!
NBC dropping the Sing Off….!!!
They have now lost me as a viewer. I’m tired of the big 3, especially NBC dropping the great shows and keeping the trash….
Robin Haskell
Santa Maria, Ca.
I loved the Sing Off. It is one of the shows that shows true vocal ablity- and they cancel it;- I am truly upset. I was waiting for season four. Please put it back on!!
LOVED “The Sing Off” –and never missed an episode –even shared my enthusiasm with others! PLEASE consider that it is so much better and more unique than “America’s Got Talent”, “The Voice” and “X Factor”—and you were just beginning to pick up a following.
“Glee” was a risk —and it became big —THE SING OFF is much more wholesome FAMILY entertainment and could be surprise a WINNER in a new season!!
I agree, that’s why Sing Off is the only competeion I watch and too have never missed a single episode. BRING SING OFF BACK!!!!