Netflix’s Star Search Explained: Format, Judges, & Voting
Netflix is officially taking a swing at live, audience-powered TV, and Star Search is the show leading the charge. The legendary talent competition returns tonight in a fully live format, streaming exclusively on Netflix, and for the first time in the franchise’s long history, viewers at home are not just watching the outcome. They are shaping it.
If this sounds like a throwback to the glory days of appointment television, that is exactly the point. Netflix wants you watching live, phone or remote in hand, ready to vote in real time as performers compete for a spot in the next round.
Here is what you need to know before the premiere starts:
A classic talent show with a modern twist
Star Search premieres January 20, 2026, airing live at 9 PM ET and 6 PM PT. The reboot is hosted by Anthony Anderson, with judges Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen.
The format will feel familiar if you remember the original series, which helped launch careers like Dave Chappelle and Christina Aguilera. Performers compete across multiple categories, including music, dance, comedy, junior acts, and variety performances. What is new is how quickly everything moves. Performances, judging reactions, eliminations, and voting results all happen live, with no buffer and no safety net.
Netflix is clearly betting that immediacy is part of the appeal.
How voting on Star Search actually works
Netflix’s live voting feature is brand new, and while it is easy to use, there are a few rules that matter.
1. You have to watch live
Voting is only available during the live broadcast. If you start the episode late, rewind too far back, or pause for too long, you may miss the voting window. Netflix does not allow voting on replays or delayed streams, even if the episode is technically still airing.
Episodes air live every Tuesday and Wednesday starting January 20.
2. You need the right device
Voting works on most modern Netflix-supported devices, including smart TVs, streaming devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV, as well as the Netflix mobile app on iOS and Android. Voting is not available on web browsers.
If you are watching on a laptop, Netflix recommends switching to a TV or opening the mobile app before voting begins. You can find updated compatibility details through the Netflix Help Center.
3. Follow the on-screen prompt
When voting opens, a 1-to-5 star rating prompt appears on screen. On a TV, you use your remote to select your rating. On mobile, you simply tap the number of stars you want to give.
Each Netflix profile gets one vote per performance, and once you submit it, that vote is final. Results are revealed live during the episode, often within minutes.
4. Expect more than one vote per episode
Voting does not happen just once. Several voting rounds may open throughout the episode, usually after key performances. All of these votes build toward the live finale, where viewers help decide the overall winner.
If you plan to vote, staying tuned for the full broadcast really matters.
What happens if you miss the voting window
Netflix is strict about timing. Once a voting window closes, additional votes do not count. If you tune in late or watch the episode later that night, you can still enjoy the performances, but you will not be able to participate.
This is intentional. Netflix wants voting to feel urgent and communal, more like a live sports broadcast than an on-demand reality show.
Why Netflix is leaning into live voting now
While Star Search is the most high-profile use of live voting so far, it is not Netflix’s first experiment with live interactivity. The company tested similar features in 2025 with Dinner Time Live with David Chang and expanded its live slate with programs like Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone explained that live voting is part of a broader push to make streaming feel more participatory. Instead of just watching a story unfold, viewers get to influence it in real time.
Netflix has also been steadily increasing its investment in live content, from comedy specials to sports broadcasts like NFL Christmas games and WWE programming. Star Search brings those threads together by combining live performance with real-time audience interaction.
What makes this reboot stand out
Unlike traditional broadcast talent shows, Netflix’s voting system works globally and across devices. Viewers around the world can vote at the same time, and results are tallied instantly. There is no overnight delay and no suspense stretched out over a week.
That immediacy raises the stakes for performers and keeps viewers locked in. A single performance, and a single voting window, can completely change the trajectory of the competition.
Premiere details worth bookmarking
If you want to be ready when the first voting prompt appears, here are the essentials:
- Premiere date: January 20, 2026
- Live schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Time: 9 PM ET and 6 PM PT
- Where to watch: Streaming live on Netflix
- Voting requirement: Live viewing on a supported device
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