Lots of threes for BBC One last night.

Thanks, rzt.

there is a 2 for ITV 1

A right bobbydazzler of a two, too.

Actually it posted 21.16 million in 1990 and topped the yearly ratings (according to BARB-though strangely Eastenders isnt shown which must have been top ten). I can remember Brian Johnston enthusing about Neighbours in Test Match Special commentary box-thats how big it was!

Completely agree production wise they've done this year what needed doing a good four series ago. Only trouble with the outdoor crowd is the restrictions, which means virtually none of the live shows are actually live anymore - and that takes something away from them IMO.

ive not heard anyone say that, since he moved to ITV

I'm talking about Oz ratings not our ratings. And ratings as is pointed out have dropped over years on most soaps. Susans reign has seen it go even further down under.

Interesting piece here suggesting that Dr Who series 6might be held back until next Autumn. Not entirely sure that's a wise move. I know some of the ratings for series 5 weren't exactly stellar, but it's still a 'banker' during the quieter Spring/Summer months. What was needed this year was a little more thought regards not starting it too early in the evening, or possibly even a move to Sunday. An Autumn move might see it struggle even more in that season's already crowded schedules.

Channel 4 did really well.

The tasks outside have been a step too far but I think the overal production has been great. My only gripe is ditching the Bob Righter heaven & hell thing almost straight away. And if I'm going to be picky then the stage needs moving to its usual place and not like a crane has accidentally dropped it in the middle.

Its a shame the ratings for last nights show were crap, I expected them about a million up to be honest but the second show had far too much filler.

I think BB did well considering it's audience (i.e. high proportion of 16-25's) would probably be out later on a Friday evening and the eviction was nothing spectacular with neither character having any chance of winning the show. The share actually went up by the second show.

A few interesting things I read from the TV Festival:

- BBC1: Possible scheduling change to 'Doctor Who'. Could return in Autumn 2011 instead of Spring.
- BBC1: No "immediate plans" to bring back 'Gavin & Stacey'.
- BBC3 commissions new 6-part zombie drama: 'Touch'.
- BBC3 recommissions 'Mongrels'

- New 5-part 'event drama' for ITV1 called 'Injustice' by Anthony Horowitz.
- Two other new dramas: 'Jurors' by Peter Moffat and 'Scotland Baby' by Sally Wainwright.
- ITV are in discussions to bring back 'Cold Feet'
- New 'high-end' factual/arts strand called 'Perspectives'

- Five (and ITV) have bought no new US TV shows from the LA Screenings. "The programmes weren't that good this year."
- Five have extended 'Hotel Inspector''s run to 12 episodes next year.
- Five hinting that they're trying to acquire 'Big Brother' amongst other shows.


I think they might consider moving Doctor Who to early-Autumn because the competition should be fine if The X Factor begins in late-Autumn as speculated. They could start Strictly later in the evening, knowing that it won't clash against X Factor for the first half of the series. S4 of Merlin could be delayed till Spring in 2012.

Must be said that for all the stick Neighbours gets, Home and Away has nothing to be pleased about either with those figures. Indeed when I began tracking aussie ratings a couple of years ago it would regularly pull 1.2-1.3m a night, often higher. These days it's "stuck" at just above 1.0m Monday to Thursday, occasionally cracking 1.1m and on Fridays below 1.0m.

Not suggesting it is in trouble at the moment, but if the decline continues it could be a concern.

Graham will do well there in my view. I hope they don't change the format, it's perfect as it is.

Its long been a bugbear of mine that the scheduling of Who is wrong. There are just too many events around where its at and whatever the benefits are, to me it just isnt a show for heatwaves. Iv always thought Jan/Feb following on from the Christmas special was the best slot but no doubt the speculation around XF moving will make scheduling anything long term difficult. Throwing it from the confusion created by BGT Eurovision Football and 25 degree temperatures into the teeth of XF will be just a case of frying pans and fires.

Lol pencil it in for Christmas 2011 then

Completely agree. It's a great show. They shouldn't tweak it at all.

Everything seems down, I can only assume that the Bank Holiday get away is in full swing. OK for Ultimate Big Brother, but I can see it dropping further tomorrow with the 8pm timeslot.

Plus a truly cringe-making interview with a woman who most of the new viewers to UBB, have no interest in

Standing room only at university when this was on 20 years ago. It was a very unifying show as everyone from students to pensioners, dukes to dustmen, seemed to watch Neighbours.

Whoops, that should read 'The Jury' by Peter Morgan and 'Scott & Bailey' by Sally Wainwright.


More details here: http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press...1/default.html

Absolutely right, one of the great feats of acquisitions-amazing how it took off. Helped by Kylie and Jason whose ultimately fictional whiter than white image turned them into the nations favourite couple.

Edit:the BBC initially broadcast Neighbours in the morning and afternoon before its popularity forced the move to afternoon and tea-times.

As I would say, the demographics were excellent, millions of 16-34s, ABC1s, families, everyone else.

Just what I was about to say, this weekend if the busiest for people being on holiday, and id imagine many will go out with it being a long weekend too.

I expect XFactor to be a million or 2 down tonight for this reason...and if it is people will no doubt blame the auto-tune scandal...but I don't think that'll have an effect personally.

If you can judge a series based on the adverts, 71 Degrees North is going to bomb even further than expected. Its a shame though, as the individual clips look quite good.