its to accomodate fixture congestion and the rest time needed before other games such as the CLF and the rest gap needed for Euro 2012

Some would say those "louts" are football broadcasts core audience. I think their opinion is just as valuable as anyone elses.

Penetration does not automatically correlate to reach or share....I'm actually really suprised you continue to think this. Content is king in this day and age.

All I can say...and I seem to have to say it again and again and again...is the research is sound.

rzt, if you do a roundup tomorrow morning of today's ratings, any chance you could put the Deal or No Deal rating on there? Would be interesting if it (in particular the +1 audience) is higher than usual.

There's another factor in the low HD channel ratings. I refuse to get a HD set because I know I won't watch any HD channel which is compromised by a DOG in the top corner when I can watch something "clean" on the SD version of that channel.

Because I still have a CRT set, which delivers far better picture quality over an SD LCD screen anyway, I hardly feel I'm missing out.

I bet there's millions like me.

I've on +1 now, thank God for +1's

The thing is, I don't think there would be enough time for him to commit to another series if he he's filming 24 episodes of that US show per year. It's different to a movie in that sense which might take up a few months and they get some time off in between too. Also, the contracts which actors sign for US drama series tend to be for multiple years, often preventing them from taking part in any other show.

I think with Case Histories, they'll work something out with NBC/UMS so that Jason Isaacs is free to work on CH should there be a second series, with Martin Freeman and The Hobbit, they've have filming hiatus so that the actors can fill other commitments.

With Life of Riley having struggled in that slot, it might be used to ensure the final series of My Family doesn't fulfill its ratings potential, but I doubt they'll use the slot for any pet projects like Flynns, Miranda etc.

Not surprised The Shadow Line lost a third of its audience. Peppering a ponderous, labyrinthine plot with the occasional random act of violence or animal cruelty seems to be what passes for a "thriller" on British TV these days.

Perhaps Blick should stick to wistful (i.e laughter-free) comedy.

This is probably right. I can't see Isaacs getting enough time off to film a proper series for the BBC as well - even if the contract allowed. And NBC won't be letting a show go on hiatus if its performing well for them - we can be sure about that.

That said, lets face it - the chances of both Case Histories and Awake reaching a second series are statistically pretty remote!

I have to admit, I've not seen it - but The Shadow Line does strike me as the sort of series thats been produced more in search of critical acclaim than with much of an audience in mind. It's one for the gang who drone on about niche US drama all the time and pretend the BBC produces nothing but EE and Holby.

Perfectly acceptable for BBC Two to produce for a niche audience, of course - but I don't think we can expect them to be big ratings hits.

Well we could discuss the scheduling of next year's Don't Scare the Hare or So You Think You Can Dance, but heck, we don't live in a fantasy land.

As for Hasselhoff defecting - well, perhaps he could be signed up as the next doctor in an attempt to halt Doctor Who's ratings decline!


It isn't the kick-off time which devalues the games, it's the position in the calendar and that is down to the FA and Premier League.

And moving the kick-off time of the final is far less of a hit to the tournament than other suggests changes such as scrapping replays, seeding teams etc.

Yeah, I expect the BAFTA judges will be falling over themselves to give it awards next year.

As they will be with Any Human Heart next weekend.

2m is still good for BBC Two but I think they need a mainstream drama that could be come back year after year rather than just one-offs. The Hour sounds good but I worry it's going to another critical darling.

Critics do seems to dismiss popular series, it is wrong for writers and actors to produce an entertaining series rather than a show that is doom and gloom,

I think Eurovision could get one of it's biggest numbers in years on Saturday.

Combination of a credible act, when compared to previous contenders - Josh Dubovie anyone ? - and the Jedward factor.

Both of which are top 4 contenders. So a close contest, with a lot of domestic interest.

Can somebody put up the Eurovision figures from the last few years ?

What do you Think Britains got Talent will get Tommorw as it is on the same time as Eurovision

Eurovision overnight ratings from the last 10 years:

2010 - 5.8m (26%) * peak: 7.8m (43%)
2009 - 7.8m (35%) * peak: 9.8m (52%)
2008 - 7.1m (35%) * peak: 9.3m (50%)
2007 - 8.7m (40%) * peak: 10.9m (53%)
2006 - 8.2m (37%) * peak: 10.6m
2005 - 7.9m (39%) * peak: 9.4m
2004 - 8.3m (42%)
2003 - 7.9m (38%) * peak: 10.8m
2002 - 7.8m (36%) * peak: 10.9m (54%)
2001 - 6.9m (37%)

Thanks, as always.

I'd go for an average of at least 8m tomorrow.

Jedward, championed by Syco, promoted as the next crazy act, could help Eurovision beat Britain's Got Talent...a Syco show. Something of an irony there. I reckon Britain's Got Talent will get around 8m, maybe slightly under. Jedward will perform while Britain's Got Talent is on; Blue will sing after 9pm.

As for last night; the 8pm soap hour is really standing out for ITV. Most channels would like those figures but they could so much better IMO by just switching the two programmes around. Let the bigger show provide the lead in, not the other way around.

BGT usually drops about 13% for the episode which clashes against Eurovision compared to the season-to-date average. Drops in previous years compared to the season-to-date averages have been:

2008: -13%
2009: -13%
2010: -5%

I think this year's drop is likely to be similar to the 2008/2009 drops, given the hype surrounding Eurovision this year is similar to 2008/2009, if not more. There was little hype for last year's Eurovision with Josh Dubovie (who?) involved. Season-to-date, BGT 2011 has averaged 9.5m/10.0m (exc/inc +1) in the overnights, so factoring in a ~13% drop it'd rate about 8.3m/8.7m (exc/inc +1). If the drop is similar to last year's -5%, it'd be down to 9m/9.5m (exc/inc +1) but like I said above, I think it's quite likely we'll see a trend more similar to 2008-2009.

yeah I dont know how I feel about that, whilst obviously I celebrate any win over BGT & X-Factor, using Jedwood to do it, gives me mixed feelings.

I am glad not to be the type of person who votes for Jedwood and in X-Factor / BGT generally, I dont know what I would do on Saturday night.

If Blue do well then I think the BBC will pick the entries without the public as it's clear that they can't be trusted to pick a worthy Eurovision entry.

Jedward doing well or winning would be brilliant, probably not for RTE or Ireland as they probably can't afford to stage it,

It's not the publics fault though is it. Take last year (and the year before), there was no voting for the song, just the act.

BBC might struggle too. Its costing €20m this year to stage.