The Voice UK referred to as a "big, exciting and warm-hearted series"and a "new generation in its genre". The discomfort caused by the poor design of the chair, which weighs 19-stone, has drawn criticism from will.i.am, who claims that it makes him hunch his shoulders. There are five different stages: producers' auditions, Blind auditions, Battle phase, Knockout stage and live shows. "The Voice UK"s first stage is the producers' auditions, which are not shown on television. The first shown stage is the blind auditions, where they sing in front of the coaches. The coaches have their backs to the singer, and if they
The Voice UK outlets saw this move as a deliberate attempt by ITV to create a "TV ratings war" with the BBC. In November 2015, the BBC announced that the fifth series of "The Voice UK" would be their last. That same month, ITV announced they had acquired the rights to air "The Voice UK" for three additional series, as well as plans for two series of "The Voice Kids" starting in 2017. In 2018, "The Voice Kids" was renewed for a third series which will air in mid-2019. The Voice UK will air it's eighth series on 5 January 2019. "The Voice"