I think it's 13 including the preview/pilot. So if they started from the week beginning 18th January (reairing the pilot), they'd air episode 13 the week beginning April 12th (as Glee returns on FOX). So I think it might still start in January.

Then there are 9 from the 13th April, presumably some weeks having 2 episodes.

I think BBC1 will be something like this if that's ITV1's final line up.

6:00 EastEnders
6:30 The Gruffolo
7:00 Doctor Who
8:00 Stirctly Come Dancing
9:00 EastEnders
9:30 The Royle Family
10:30 Catherine Tate

Well you would think so but the Beeb just dont seem to learn the lesson. More problems tonight as Ali Bastian is apparently injured and struggling.
Strictly is cursed with bad decision making and bad luck, its almost as though Simon Cowell has found a witchdoctor-or is a witchdoctor.
At the end of all, the final is teetering on the edge of being the least inspiring ever.

Taking 'w/e 12 Jul 2009' as a random example:

1 TOP GEAR (SUN 2001) 6.80
13 TOP GEAR (WED 2001) 1.74

6.80m + 1.74m = 8.54m.

You could do that with every episode and come out with an answer in the 8/9m range.

LOL, we'll end up with Brucie having to dance in the final.

Just give that tacky plastic trophy to Ricky Whittle now and call it a day.

I know the US version put restrictions in place due to injuries in the past (I think training is limited to something like 24 hours a week). I think the BBC need to do the same too - and of course cutting the shows run would slightly reduce the risk of injury too. Most people seem to agree 14 weeks is too long.

You'd think really Dancing on Ice would have the higher injury count, but I think only one has ever been forced to quit.

What I should have said is that it has to start no later than 10.30 except in exceptional circumstances - Eurovision, Festival of Rememberance, but not the Strictly final.

Last year the official schedule was
9.00 SCD Final Results
9.45 Outnumbered
10.15 News
10.30 MOTD

....but they ran well late.

If ITV really do go with that, then BBC1 will think it's Christmas!


Or finishing on the 12th...

I mean, they would have to presumably if they haven't got enough contestants left.

They should ensure they start with enough contestants to ensure 5 are left by the semi-final - and if 5 are still standing, then eliminate the worst 2 leaving 3 in the final. If you've only got 4 by the time you get to the semi-final then you only drop 1.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009...ratings-tweaks

I think this is so interesting they are introducing a new panel and catchup data, does anyone else? Will it affect the overnights then?

Already been mentioned earlier today.

I still want to know how they ended up with the anomaly that is BGT's and TXF's ratings in 2009.

Something very wrong somewhere...

Again there is a simple logic there that has not been grasped by the Beeb. Brekkie is probably nearest the mark saying Bruce will dance in the final -its a pity that Sammy Davis Junior is no longer available.

Well they're cheap to make and do far better than anything on ITV1 at the same time so it's not that hard to believe.

And Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile etc no doubt Robster?
I'm so sorry for not being here earlier to participate in the one permitted instance of discussion.:sleep:

That ITV1 Christmas schedule is dull, but then why should they bother, they will always get caned by the Beeb. They could at least slot Harry Hill in.

I wonder what the contingency plan is? I mean, there must be one?

Why don't they telephone you and get you to do a dance with GeorgeS?

I've been looking at what Paradox will face once IAC finishes:

ITV1: Tuesday 8th December
8.00 Coastline Cops
9.00 Robson Green's Wild Swimming Adventure

Tuesday is like half-day closing on ITV1.


It'll be interesting to see which of the two channels gets the upper hand that 9pm. I would expect it to be Robson even though a) he's not as big a draw as he used to be and b) he's not got much of a lead-in.

I think the 600%+ increase in CountryFile's ratings is down to the later slot.

As for AR, perhaps you forget it is still one of the most popular shows on telly - as good as 6m against TXF seems, it has lost 2-3m on last year.

Now now James. I just said it had already been mentioned so you didnt think it had passed everyone by. I will allow discussion to continue for a while.

We're on the TV Burp Christmas Special - just before the ad break...

Oh sorry, I thought they might have been BARB anomalies like BGT and TXF this year?

Surely you would have preferred to appear on a BBC show.

It might be, one day...

Who knows. I will go on-as long as Katya, Ola or Erin is my partner.

I imagine, in the worst case scenario, that they'd pull the semi-final week (show a film instead) and keep the final on the 19th.