‘The Voice’ Is ‘Headed in the Wrong Direction’ and Needs Reba McEntire to Save It, TV Insider Alleges

NBC’s The Voice is one of the most extensive singing reality competition series on the air, and fans adore the rotating roster of mentors and exciting layout that highlights the singers. Reba McEntire joined The Voice for season 24 — the season after Blake Shelton left. Fans adored Shelton, so McEntire had big shoes to fill as the new country coach. A TV insider alleged that McEntire is working hard to “save” The Voice.

A TV insider alleged that Reba McEntire is saving ‘The Voice’

Reba McEntire is one of the biggest stars in country music, bringing a lot of fresh energy to The Voice. Blake Shelton was the country superstar mentor for 23 seasons, and McEntire took his place. A TV industry insider told Life & Style that McEntire is “leading the charge” in the “new era” of The Voice.

“The Voice is trying to usher in a new era, and Reba is leading the charge,” they claimed. “She has become the linchpin of the show — it didn’t take long for her to take over!”

The insider added that The Voice is losing viewers, and the producers hope McEntire can turn the ship around.

“The show is headed in the wrong direction, and the producers are intent on shaking things up and reversing course to keep The Voice on the air,” the insider alleged. “And with her ego and outsized personality, they feel Reba’s the woman for the job.”

The Voice Season 25 averaged between 5 and 6 million viewers per episode. The following season features different judges, which may raise viewership. McEntire plans to return for her third season, and Shelton’s wife, ’90s rocker Gwen Stefani, will also return. This may entice Shelton lovers to tune in. Additionally, newcomers Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg join as coaches, with newcomers Dan + Shay out.

An NBC contractor alleged that producers had to ‘freeze’ Reba McEntire’s pay

‘The Voice’ Season 25 coaches Shay Mooney, Chance The Rapper, Dan Smyers, Reba McEntire, and John Legend | Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images

Reba McEntire is likely drawing new viewers into The Voice. However, NBC might not have the funds to continue to increase McEntire’s pay every season. The country queen reportedly makes $13 million per season as a coach.

“There is a substantial trimming of costs and ways of looking at not increasing spending,” an NBC contractor told The Sun. “You can trim the budgets here and there, but the reality is that the biggest fees come from the judges’ pay. Losing a couple of staff members saves you hundreds of thousands of dollars, but bringing in a freeze on pay raises and lesser deals for talent is a way to trim millions.”

The contractor noted that McEntire’s pay is on the “higher end” for talent with “no room” for a raise. “It’s understood there is no room for that figure to rise, so very quietly, behind the scenes, private talks are taking place with agents and talent about those deals,” they continued.

Adam Levine announced his return to ‘The Voice’ Season 27

Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, and Carson Daly on ‘The Voice’ | Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo bank

The Voice is bringing back another beloved coach for season 27. Adam Levine coached the first 16 seasons of the show and left in 2019. His return will likely draw in past viewers who ditched the show when he left.

Levine announced his return on Instagram. He posted a photo on Instagram of him coaching on The Voice with texts overlaid that show fans asking for him to come back. The final text is from Blake Shelton. “BRING ADAM BACK!!!” Shelton’s text reads with an angry emoji.

“Yeah, we’re back,” Levine says in the post. “We’re coming back. I’m coming back, is what I mean. Season 27 — yes, I’m coming back. I’m so excited. I cannot wait. I’m well-rested; I’m ready to go. … It’s gonna be awesome. Let’s go. Team Adam is back; I feel bad for other teams.”

John Legend, Michael Bublé, and Kelsea Ballerini are the other coaches for season 27. Reba McEntire will not return for the season.

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