"The Voice" Season 3: Three Night Premiere Begins Sept. 10, Competes With "X-Factor USA" On Third Night (PREVIEW VIDEO)
NBC will air the first episode of a three-night premiere of "The Voice" Season 3 on Monday, Sept. 10.
The hit singing reality competition features four award-winning singers as the show's judges - Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Cee-Lo Green.
Mark Burnett, the show's creator announced two new changes to the format last month, the "steal" and the "knockout."
The first twist is called the "steal" which allows one of the judges to steal a contestant from another if he or she loses a battle round.
The battle rounds begin with 16 members on each team with two steals available per team. When two members from one team battle, a coach from another team has the option to "steal" the losing opponent. If more than one coach wants to steal the loser, the contestant is given the chance to pick which coach they want to work with.
"We try to create a very kind experience on this show where people who deserve to stay, have a chance to stay," Burnett told The Hollywood Reporter.
Greene told THR he thought it was going to become even "more awkward and uncomfortable for the artists - and for us."
"It's pretty difficult to have to encourage someone, and then take it away from them in a matter of days," adds the "F*** You" singer.
"It seems so unfair. But you know what? The steals actually became a silver lining and sustained something very special about the show in general - that optimism that if offers. That second and third opportunity for some, which is great. People get five or six chances on the show."
Burnett explained the "knockout" twist: following the battle round it's the next set up to help whittle the teams down to five members each before they begin airing live shows.
A contestant will learn who they are paired up against instead of singing one song together - which was the case in Seasons 1 and 2. The contestant will sit in a corner of the stage and watch their opponent perform.
At the end of all the knockout rounds, each team will consist of five members for the live shows.
"The Voice" three-night premiere week begins Monday, Sept. 10 from 8-10 p.m. ET. The show will air from 8-9p.m. ET on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.
Wednesday's show will compete directly with Fox's singing competition "The X Factor: USA" with new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato for the new season.
The show's four coaches from "The Voice" will open season three with a performance together of Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up."
