The Voice host Sonia Kruger takes a subtle swipe at Channel Nine

The Voice host Sonia Kruger takes a subtle swipe at Nine as she says the singing show has ‘found its heart and soul again’ on Channel Seven

Sonia Kruger has made it clear she believes The Voice Australia is a better product on Channel Seven than it was during its 10-year run on the Nine Network.

The television presenter, 56, told New Idea on Monday the singing competition had ‘found its heart and soul again’ during the latest season.

The Voice ran for nine seasons on Channel Nine from 2012 until 2020.

‘We’re going back to grassroots’: Sonia Kruger has made it clear she believes The Voice is a better product on Channel Seven than it was during its 10-year run on the Nine Network

The network elected not to renew its licence in August 2020, giving Seven the opportunity to buy the Australian broadcast rights.

Sonia said the blockbuster ratings were a reflection of the program’s leaner format and talented roster of contestants.

‘We’re going back to grassroots and uncovering those talented diamonds in the rough,’ she told the magazine.

‘The show has found its heart and soul again, which the audience are there for.’

Singing its praises: 'We're going back to grassroots and uncovering those talented diamonds in the rough,' Sonia told New Idea. 'The show has found its heart and soul again, which the audience are there for.' Pictured: The Voice coach Rita Ora on Sunday night's episode

Singing its praises: ‘We’re going back to grassroots and uncovering those talented diamonds in the rough,’ Sonia told New Idea. ‘The show has found its heart and soul again, which the audience are there for.’ Pictured: The Voice coach Rita Ora on Sunday night’s episode

The Voice has been a ratings smash for Seven, exceeding all expectations and scoring its biggest premiere audience in five years when it launched on August 8.

About 1.33 million people tuned in for the first episode of season 10 across the five major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

This figure swelled to 1.91 million nationally, when regional viewers were included.

Winning combination: This year's coaching panel comprises (left to right) Keith Urban, Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, with Sonia Kruger serving as host

Winning combination: This year’s coaching panel comprises (left to right) Keith Urban, Rita Ora, Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, with Sonia Kruger serving as host

The show has drawn more than a million metro viewers for every episode since, which is almost unheard of in free-to-air TV these days.

The new season has a smaller budget and simpler format compared to previous years, with host Sonia saying it’s ‘all killer, no filler’. 

This year’s coaching panel comprises Rita Ora, Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and Keith Urban. 

Ratings smash: The Voice has been a ratings smash for Seven, exceeding all expectations and scoring its biggest premiere audience in five years when it launched on August 8

Ratings smash: The Voice has been a ratings smash for Seven, exceeding all expectations and scoring its biggest premiere audience in five years when it launched on August 8

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk