Ahead of the launch of the latest series of BBC One’s The Voice later this month, the makers have released a new app for both iOS and Android.
The Voice App, built by Tellybug, features the HomeCoach Game which puts audiences in the coaches’ chairs and lets them listen to exclusive ‘Blind Audition’ previews and decide whether they would turn based on the quality of the voice alone.
If the coaches turn for the same artists during the show play along, the user earns stars. Players can also rate the performances, check out the other HomeCoaches’ decisions and compare their scores with friends via Facebook. The BBC has said that the game’s functionality will also develop further as the show goes on.
The app, which is free to download, also features the online exclusive spin-off series, The Voice Louder. Hosted by Emma Willis and Marvin Humes, The Voice Louder will contain a short show summary, behind-the-scenes content and will “encourage users to send in pictures, tweets and videos”. The Voice Louder will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
The Voice UK, which sees new judges Kylie Minogue and Ricky Wilson join will.i.am and Tom Jones for the latest series, will, for the first time, allow viewers to vote online for free during the live finals.
The BBC’s Playlister will also see the original versions of each song made available on The Voice UK playlist on Spotify.
“Last year’s Voice Predictor app was popular with fans, but this year we wanted to put the audience in the coaches’ chairs – make them HomeCoaches, give them a chance to rate performances and say whether they’d turn,” said Sarah Clay, BBC online commissioning editor.
“The focus of the game has shifted from prediction to opinion – what would you do? How good a coach would you be? We wanted to make the experience feel more social, richer and more immediate, with the addition of clips delivered straight to people’s devices. With over 55 million views to The Voice UK clips last series, adding clips to the app seemed like a must.”
