Channel Seven has “quietly” made some massive changes to the prize received by The Voice Australia winner.
With the 2024 season of the hit singing competition already facing a huge shake-up with its coaching panel, it’s no surprise the network wants to jazz up some other aspects of the show, too.
As per previous seasons, the eventual winner of The Voice 2024 will pocket an eye-watering $100,000 for their efforts. However, Seven has shifted tact regarding the second portion of the prize.
As reported by Yahoo Lifestyle, a recording contract with Universal Music Australia or EMI Music Australia is no longer up for grabs.
Instead, the winner will receive an artist development package with a Sydney-based recording studio.
Changes could break ‘spell’ of flailing The Voice winner careers
According to an insider, ditching the recording contract could break “the spell” of past The Voice victors failing to succeed in their careers post-show.
“Many former ‘coaches’ and ‘judges’ on these singing shows agree that dropping that part of the prize to lift the restrictions on what the artists can do once they have won the show is vital to breaking a terrible cycle,” they told the outlet.
“[The contract] is something that has blocked ‘winners’ from making a profit or owning their music for years.”
The source added that a “record deal sounds good in theory”.
“But ask the last three winners about their journey with these sorts of contracts, and they will tell you a fairly dark tale,” the insider said.
“The last three winners have been fantastic, but apart from their diehard fans — you would have to agree that they are hardly household names.” Ouch!
They continued: “So many voices and executives are there to control you and make money from these artists. The record contract has actually had a negative effect on the winners of many of our reality shows.”
While “time will tell” how this shift affects this year’s The Voice Australia winner, it’s predicted that it “could very much be the change that is needed”.
Here’s hoping!
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