We know that ratings don't always follow buzz. However launch shows do pull them in as you say-be a fascinating rating tomorrow.

Not sure before they began airing but i think maybe "Saturday Night Takeaway" could edge "The Voice" actually. Twitter and media reaction doesn't really have any bearing on the overnight ratings. I think Ant and Dec can never be underestimated, and perhaps getting a good lead from "The Cube" will keep viewers on the itv channel. Hope "The Voice" can hold onto a big audience be a shame if it now stumbles after an impressive beginning to the series.

You are naughty!

But I do think The Voice will be under 7m and Takeaway will win.

For people wondering, the Voice live shows will begin on Saturday 22nd March. Im hearing that the live shows will be a nice 2hr [or slightly longer] duration which will help build the show's audience to a big peak. Worldwide superstar Shakira will performing too.

"The Voice" could have done with a few more lives to get the audience to get to know the contestants.

The BRIT awards broke the Twitter record for a television show on Wednesday and yet it was the least watched BRITs of the century. If that hasn't taught us a lesson about "social media buzz" I don't know what will.

Saturday Night Takeaway was class tonight. Pure entertainment

Deserves a good rating.

The return of good Saturday night TV - Ant and Dec were on form. Superb show - very funny.

Sounds like SNT went down very well. Wonder if it will get the 7m+ [exc+1]? Could be looking at a 1m win for SNT over the Voice tomorrow.

The Voice has left something relevant for its last ten minutes, rather than run-downs of teams etc. So may have a bit of a surge after SNT.

Anything over 6.5m would be excellent for SNT, since its against very tough, heavily trailed final audition show of the BBC's highest rated entertainment show in so many years. Next week it will increase to 7m+.

A nice 2hr slot?!

That's too long for the Voice. It starts to plod at this stage nevermind the lives

I doubt it. Only one episode of SNT last year got over 7m exc +1 and it didn't face The Voice (most of the series was over 7m with +1). The Voice has been doing well recently, and better than SNT was doing last year. I think:

The Voice: 7.2m
Takeaway: 6.5m (6.9m inc +1)

So it looks like this is how it shapes up post-auditions:

Sat 01/03 - Battle Round 1 (19:00-21:10)
Sat 08/03 - Battle Round 2 (19:00-21:15)
Sat 15/03 - Knockout Round 1
Sun 16/03 - Knockout Round 2
Sat 22/03 - Live Show 1
Sat 29/03 - Live Show 2
Sat 05/04 - Live Final

Did I hear you say, Samuel, that BGT was starting on the night of the Voice final? If so, that will be an interesting one schedule- and ratings-wise.

Don't forget now when the lives start there will be the new spin off show on BBC two.

Only three lives there where four last year.

Predictions

The Voice - 7.0m
Takeaway - 6.6m (7.1m inc +1)

I think 6.5m would be acceptable for Takeaway and 7.2m would be very good for the Voice in such heated circumstances. 7.2m would only be 0.3m down from last week's episode even though SNT will rate about 3m higher than last week's Splash. The Voice will most likely be down more than 0.3m from last week, i think could easily be down 1m if 3m more people watchin itv compared to the same slot last week.

Take me out will see a little bump up to 4m due to the better lead-in. WDW down to about 4.8m i think. Whats your throughts about Americans airing in primnetime from a few saturdays time.

Loved the Voice Tonight.

I will have Sunday night takeaways this year if the clashes continues then.

Shame one can't air after the other but seeing as I've watched The Voice UK every Saturday this Series LIVE Takeaway has to be the one recorded.

Takeaway will be higher (Excluding +1)

The Voice UK-6.8m
Takeaway-7.0m

The Voice has a good slot tomorrow night on BBC3 and no doubt it will be most watched on I player tonight.

There are always these comments about Ant and Dec, and from the bits I see I have to agree its probably the nearest thing to true Saturday night entertainment there is.

I suppose my question would be-why doesn't it rate higher?

......and why isn't there any effort to break new pre-watershed entertainment acts/double acts? A and D have had a clear run for their entire career. No wonder they win the NTA constantly.

It appears there is one fewer live show this year compared to last year. Thats why they increased auditions from 6 to 7 to compensate for that - a good decision imo to reduce the lower-rating section of the Voice. I think within a few years, they might as well just have 1 live show and front load the series with 9 blind audition shows. Due to one fewer live show, it appears the Voice final will not face BGT as BGT will launch on 12th April.

I think the Voice will win especially after the rugby. It will have 7.5.

No, only three last year (excluding the separate Friday results show).

There aren't enough live editions of "The Voice" there should be at least five or six id say in order for the contestants to really shine and the mentors live discussion and performances. Kylie will be great live I think and very spontaneous with the other coaches.

Perhaps if there isn't too much of a viewer drop there will be more live performances if there is a fourth series next year.

No clash as BGT starts on the 12th.


Don't forget BBC1 had teatime rugby this week which will boost primetime a bit. Plus 7.2m would actually be a 0.5m fall. Considering it'll have a rugby boost (previous rugby boosted eps have got 8m+) and the big peak will help, so 7.2m seems reasonable. Your other predictions there seem about right.

I don't like The Americans getting that slot. Seems a waste. Although I think the schedule might actually be a bit more like: 18:30 - Celebrity Chase, 19:30 - BGT, 20:45 Amazing Greys, 21:45 - The Americans, which wouldn't be so bad.