Trae Patton/NBCWill The Voice be the last singing competition show standing? The Voice returned with Usher and Shakira and it hasn't lost its ratings magic. The NBC singing competition brought in 15. 7 million viewers, according to early Nielsen numbers. In the coveted 18-49 demographic, The Voice had a 4.7 rating.
Compare The Voice's numbers to American Idol, which recently fell to a series low of 9.2 million viewers and a 2.4 rating, and is in season 13. Fox's other singing offering, The X Factor, was axed after three years.
The Voice's season six premiere ratings were up from last spring's season premiere with Usher and Shakira. The March 2013 bow had 13.6 million viewers and a 4.8 rating. The fall 2014 premiere, which featured CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera returning to the coach chairs, had 15 million viewers and a 5.1 rating. Season six was up in total viewers, but down in 18-49 demo.
The season six premiere of The Voice opened with the coaches performing each other's hit songs. Check it out above.
(E! and The Voice are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)