The Voice and Talent to clash

The Voice will clash with ITV rival Britain’s Got Talent when the Simon Cowell show launches next week, as broadcasters vie to dominate Saturday night viewing.

The BBC has moved the start time of its 95-minute singing show from 7pm to 6:45pm on 13 April, but it will still overlap with the first BGT, which will run from 7pm to 8:35pm.

The competition puts more pressure on The Voice to succeed after last year’s series experienced a steep drop in viewers, with the semi-final drawing just half the audience it managed at its peak. A tour featuring its eight finalists was cancelled following poor ticket sales.