• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, May 31, 2011

NBC's entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt has said ensuring "The Voice" remains a success is a top priority for the coming season. On Tuesday, NBC reaffirmed that commitment, saying the singing competition would get the plum spot after the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 with a one-hour episode.

That will likely serve as the opening episode of the show's second season, which NBC is holding until early next year. The show, hosted by Carson Daly, with Christina Aguilera as one of four coaches, launched in late April.

Making its season premiere on Super Bowl Sunday would lead "The Voice" nicely into its regularly scheduled spot on Mondays, which could start the following night (Feb. 6). The show's second season will air from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays, leading into the new musical drama "Smash," which was also a potential candidate for the post-Super Bowl time slot.

NBC made the announcement about "The Voice" while conducting its upfront negotiations; it could be using the show for leverage.

It is possible that an NFL lockout could delay the date of the Super Bowl, which might alter NBC's plans.