NBC and MGM Television are weighing whether to move “The Voice” off the Universal Studios lot in Los Angeles after 14 years. The talks would put one of broadcast’s most reliable singing competitions into a lower-cost production hub, with Nashville and Atlanta among the cities in the mix. Staying in Los Angeles has not been ruled out.
What is being considered
The show has shot on Stage 30 at Universal Studios Hollywood since its 2011 debut. It typically runs two cycles per TV season and is currently in production on Season 30, alongside a celebrity-contestant special hosted by Keke Palmer that is set for 2027. The series has not been renewed beyond that cycle, so a location decision would likely be tied to the next licensing conversation.
Representatives for NBC and MGM Television declined to comment.
A cost question, not a ratings question
Season 30 premiered on Sept. 21 and drew 7.1 million viewers in seven days, up 5% from the previous fall premiere. That makes the relocation conversation notable: NBC is not chasing a fix for audience decline. It is examining whether production incentives and operational costs make Los Angeles the wrong place to keep making a show that the audience is still watching.
The reality-TV map is shifting
A move would follow “American Idol,” which is relocating from Hollywood to Georgia for its upcoming 25th season. “America’s Got Talent” has also been reported to be considering a move to Georgia or Tennessee. The common thread is state tax-credit programs: Georgia and Tennessee have built attractive incentives for unscripted production, while California’s value proposition has become harder for producers to defend.
What media buyers should watch
For media planners and entertainment marketers, this is a moment to separate audience demand from production economics. A city change does not automatically change how many people watch, but it can change how viable the show is for its owner over multiple cycles. The practical reads are:
- Treat the 7.1 million seven-day audience as the demand signal; the location review is the supply-side cost lever.
- Watch for renewal announcements, because the show is not locked beyond its current production slate.
- If a move is confirmed, look for any scheduling, ad-load or format changes that could affect delivery.
The deeper lesson is that even stable, high-rated franchises are being re-engineered around margin. The Voice’s coaches and format may stay intact while the production city changes, as long as the tax arithmetic makes the move worth the transition risk.
Source: TheWrap
