BBC to launch new singing contest Pitch Battle after losing The Voice to ITV

The BBC has announced plans to launch a brand new Saturday night singing contest after losing The Voice to ITV.

Pitch Battle will feature ‘riff-offs’ between singing groups, based on the hit Pitch Perfect films, in a bid to find ‘Britain’s best group’.

The six-part series, which will air on BBC One next year, will feature all musical styles including rock, folk and gospel.

There will be an a cappella round as well as soloist challenges, with the show culminating in a live final.

Kate Phillips, the BBC's controller of entertainment commissioning, said: “There are millions of people in the UK of all ages and backgrounds who sing simply for the love of it, for the joy and sense of community it creates.

“Tuesday’s Child’s excellent new format reflects this with shed loads of sass and spirit. We can’t wait to get started.”

The BBC are also set to launch brand new show Let It Shine in January, which will follow the search for five male singers to star in a West End musical.

Hosted by Graham Norton, the show is the brainchild of Take That’s Gary Barlow, with Martin Kemp and Danni Minigue acting as judges.

The new series of The Voice will launch on the same day, having moved from the BBC to ITV.

Will.i.am, Tom Jones, Gavin Rossdale and Jenifer Hudson will act as judges on the re-vamped show, which first aired in the UK back in 2012.