If you’re scrambling to figure out what channel for The Voice you need to tune into right now, you aren't alone. The schedule for 2026 is a bit of a curveball. Between the Winter Olympics in Italy preempting half the February calendar and a massive mid-season format shift, the "usual" Monday night routine has been tossed out the window.
Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of.
The Voice Season 29 premieres on Monday, February 23, 2026, on NBC. This season is specifically branded as "The Voice: Battle of Champions." If you’re looking for it on your cable box, NBC is the home, but the kickoff week is weirdly aggressive—you’ve got three two-hour episodes hitting on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday of that first week. After that, it settles into its "normal" groove, though "normal" is a relative term in reality TV.
The 2026 Broadcast Schedule Breakdown
You've probably noticed that the show didn't start in its typical early February slot. That’s because the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo took over the NBC airwaves from February 5 to February 22. Once the torch went out, the red chairs came back.
Where to Watch Live
- Cable/Satellite: Your local NBC affiliate.
- Antenna: Still free, still HD. If you have a clear line of sight to a broadcast tower, NBC is over-the-air.
- Live Streaming Services: YouTube TV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream all carry NBC live in most zip codes.
Wait.
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There's a catch. If you're using a service like Sling TV, you need to be in a specific market (usually a major city) to get the local NBC feed. Otherwise, you’re looking at a next-day situation.
Season 29 Premiere Week (The "Sprint")
- Monday, Feb 23: 9/8c (2-hour premiere)
- Wednesday, Feb 25: 8/7c (2-hour episode)
- Thursday, Feb 26: 8/7c (2-hour episode)
By March 2, the show shifts back to its anchor spot on Mondays at 9/8c. It’s a bit of a relief, really. Trying to keep up with three nights of auditions is a full-time job.
What Channel for The Voice on Streaming?
If you've cut the cord, your best friend is Peacock.
NBC’s streaming platform is the exclusive digital home for the show. New episodes usually drop at 6:00 AM ET the morning after they air on TV. So, if you miss the Monday night broadcast, don’t go on Twitter (X) on Tuesday morning unless you want the blind auditions spoiled by a viral clip.
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Peacock has different tiers, but you’ll need a paid subscription (Premium or Premium Plus) to see the latest Season 29 episodes. The "Plus" version is great if you hate those repetitive pharmaceutical ads, but the standard Premium tier gets the job done for less.
For fans in Canada, CTV is the place to be. They generally air it in tandem with the US broadcast, and you can stream it for free on the CTV website or app if you have a provider login.
Why Season 29 Is Actually Different
This isn't just another season. NBC is calling this "Battle of Champions" because the coaching panel is pruned down to three people—and all of them are former winners.
The Returning Coaches
- Adam Levine: He’s back for his 18th season. After taking some time away, the Maroon 5 frontman is clearly looking to reclaim his throne.
- Kelly Clarkson: The queen of daytime TV is pulling double duty. She’s filming her talk show and The Voice simultaneously this year.
- John Legend: Coming back for his 11th season after a short break.
The dynamic is different with three chairs instead of four. It feels more intimate, or maybe just more crowded for the three people left. They’ve even removed the "Block" buttons for this cycle. Instead, they’ve introduced something called the "Triple Turn Competition." Basically, the coach who manages to get the most artists to turn all three chairs during the blinds gets a "Super Steal" later in the season.
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It’s a high-stakes bribe for the singers, really.
Watching Without Cable: A Quick Reality Check
Can you watch it for free? Sorta.
If you have an old-school digital antenna, yes. If you’re looking to stream it live for free, you’re limited to "free trials." Most of the big services—YouTube TV and Fubo—offer a few days or a week for new subscribers. It’s a decent strategy for the finale, but it won’t get you through a whole season.
Actionable Tips for Voice Fans
To make sure you don't miss a beat (or a pitch-perfect high note), follow these steps:
- Check your local listings for NBC specifically for the Wednesday/Thursday outlier episodes during premiere week; your DVR might not catch them if it’s only set for Mondays.
- Download the NBC App on your phone. If you have a cable login (or a friend's), you can watch the live stream from anywhere.
- Sync your Peacock account. If you’re a late-night worker, the 6:00 AM ET drop on Peacock is the most reliable way to stay current.
- Watch for "The Wall" lead-ins. NBC often uses The Wall or new comedies like St. Denis Medical to buffer The Voice schedule, so if you tune in early, you might be watching LeBron James' game show instead.
The search for the next superstar starts on NBC on February 23. Mark your calendars, because with Adam and Kelly back in the same room, the bickering is going to be just as loud as the singing.
Next Steps:
- Set a recurring DVR recording for "The Voice" on NBC, but manually add the Feb 25 and Feb 26 dates to your calendar to avoid missing the premiere week specials.
- Verify your Peacock subscription is active if you plan on watching "Battle of Champions" on Tuesday mornings.
- Check your local NBC signal with an antenna if you are looking to save on monthly streaming costs.