Its also a problem for Corrie as its 8.30 episodes on Monday & Friday uniformly finish up 5 minutes before time in order to accommodate the second round of ads in the half hour. Unless theres something decent following it its hard for the overnights to go its way on that front.

Good for Strictly.

It's not often that ITV deserve praise for their promo's but the one I just saw for Downton Abbey was pretty impressive.

Noticed a SYTYCD audition promo straight after Strictly tonight. Not sure if X Factor maybe dented by the early start, I don't think it will because it may capitalise on the channel hoppers straight after Strictly.

I think we can pretty much say that SYTYCD will definitely be coming back now.

I wonder if SYTYCD will do an X Factor and storm the ratings in seven years time.

They said it would when the 1st series finished last year.

Nigel Lythgoe said on Twitter that he is still judging this year despite the fact that the live American Idol shows begin in February and he is returning as Executive Producer & co-showrunner.

They said that about Last Choir Standing, but that never made it back

Yes it certainly shows the value of sticking with a concept as the show arguably might not have made a second series at ITV.

The ratings series six -the first of the 50 minutes episodes broadcast at 7.15 on Sunday nights are as follows:

Yuppy Love 13.9 million (the famous fall scene)
Danger UXD 16.1
Chain Gang 16.3
The Unlucky Winner Is... 17.0
Sickness And Wealth 18.2
Little Problems 18.9 (Rodneys wedding)

IMO this is the strongest six episode comedy ever-so many great moments.

Interestingly the Chrismas special "A Royal Flush", which is suggested as the worst example of OFAH achieved 18.8 million.

Oh - didn't realise

Yes I really enjoyed tonght's and last night's and the inclusion of Paul Daniels and Anne Widdecombe was a good choice, as people will watch to see how good/bad they are. Also the set, the musicians and the graphics were first rate. I think this year, while it won't surpass the X Factor in the ratings, 9 million is possible each week.
As for dear old POG, it doesn't surprise me his show is watched by the demographic advertisers don't want- elderly C2DE, possibly hardened ITV1 viewers who switch on for their soaps and don't change channels again. I know he left Channel 4 for money reasons, but might the type of end of the pier style show he did not attract the demos C4 like in this slot, ABC1 middle aged.

BTW, The Sun's TV magazine today reveals the first 'special guest' on The X Factor next weekend is Joe McElderry. Not sure if that's for the Saturday show or the Sunday show.

I thought Paul O'Grady was popular with many age ranges?

You are going on about demographics again in a snobbish manner. AB viewers probably watch very little TV at all and C2DE viewers probably make up most of the country

Why did ITV want P O'G back and in prime time if all his viewers are so unattractive to advertisers?

Hardly a 'reveal'. The previous winner always appears on the first live show. It'll be the Sunday results.

Just noticed Alan Sugar is trending worldwide on Twitter. I just know Piers will brag if the show does a good rating tonight... until he realises viewers are tuning in to see the guest and not himself.

I think if anything is certain in this world its that Piers will brag if he gets a good rating.

(And the same can be said of Philip Schofield too)

The interesting one will be who the other guest is. Last year it was Alexandra and Robbie. I thought it might be Joe and Kylie this time. Can't think of many other big acts flogging singles right now. I'm assuming they will continue to have 2 guest a week as I think that worked well last year and kept results show moving fast.

Cheryl will presumably sing her new single, Dannii hers (although I havn't heard a release date yet), and I wouldn't be surprised to see JLS/Olly/Diana Vickers/Shayne Ward/Alexandra popping up at some point.

Yeah, two guests definitely worked well last year and stopped the results show from feeling like it was being padded out unnecessarily. There's been no indication of who the other guest will be. They may well promote it at the end of tomorrow night's show though!

Looking at what is released that week my money would be on Michael Buble.

The two rumours I've read are Madonna and a full Robbie/Take That reunion (not just Robbie and Gary). Not sure if either will be next week though.

Assuming they have some kind of wildcard section on Saturday night (and I don't know if they will), they may use some of the results show on Sunday to do the results of that? So they'd only have one guest.

For the record (and hopefully of some interest):

UK population:
55% ABC1
45% C2DE

Platform demographics:

DTT:
49% ABC1
51% C2DE

Satellite:
61% ABC1
39% C2DE

Cable:
54% ABC1
46% C2DE

See link (178/379):

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/bin...2010_FINAL.pdf

I hope to god they do, if certain spoilers are to be believed.

Fantastic for Strictly Come Dancing; I'm assuming it'll dip tonight because of the earlier start. The X Factor didn't seem to have so many adverts in it tonight (it probably did; it just didn't feel like it), I wonder whether the 'pace' of the show may help it.

EastEnders and Coronation Street did ok but it's amazing how the audience can dip during the week only to return again on Monday. Paul O'Grady was hurt by Strictly but will recover next week against NewTricks.

Swings and Roundabouts really yesterday for Five News. 7pm down, but the 5pm was up about 200k on normal. I don't think the 5pm bulletin is a good as it was after the 2008 relaunch (less 'hard news'), but it's not a bad bulletin


They might want to some extra Christmas ones this year, since Christmas Day and New Years Day are on Saturdays, and Boxing Day is a Sunday. If they stick to just 11 episodes they will be restricted to an hour Christmas Day, no Boxing Day, and just half an hour New Years Day (this assumes normal Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri which are very unlikely to get moved)