ITV executives probably got a nose-bleed when they saw the figures for Fraud Squad this morning.

I can see them running around the office like a hysterical group of 16 year old girls who've just discovered they got 10 A grades in their GCSEs. "We beat Celebrity Big Brother Live Evictions in the ratings last night. Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Ohmygod! <sscccrrrreeeeaaaammmmmsssss>".

*has mental image of 16 year old girls, being in charge*

actually that may explain alot.

and Jeff Ford was complaining about launching BB against "tough summer competition"!

I agree. It's about striking a balance and they said recently in a blog post that BBC Two peak would pretty much remain Olympics free for the duration - there will be a substantial proportion of the audience that will want to avoid the Olympics. I can certainly see EastEnders shifting over to BBC2 throughout the Olympics.

Nah they are off commissioning The Batchelor

Oh, come on. Thats just silly. NBC don't even show the bloody 100m live and that hasn't stopped the IOC rushing into a 8 year deal with them!

EastEnders won't be robbing you of anything. At the very worst (and I don't expect this will happen) you might wind up watching some minor events on BBC2. I know you'd like to strap everyone to a seat and force them to watch the Games, but thats rather sensibly not the route the BBC are going down. That hardly makes their coverage half-hearted!

lets face it if there is any channel being run by 16 year old girls, its cleary ITV 2.

I'll defer to your superior knowledge on the matter

lol you know ive not read the ITV memos since the Summer of 1998

Looks like the MGEITF Channel of the year went to the right channel!

I was suprised that looking the haven't won since 2002 at least, if not at all.

Past winners
2010 Channel 4
2009 BBC One
2008 BBC One
2007 BBC One
2006 Channel Four
2005 BBC One
2004 BBC Two
2003 BBC Two
2002 Five

They've never won. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...el-of-the-year

With the current state of TV I'm not sure any channel deserves the award, but I guess ITV1 gets credit for their run of new dramas breaking through - though that seems so long ago when you're in the middle of summer ratings.

ITV1 Channel of the Year?

Is GeorgeS bringing the party poppers?

I think ITV1 probably deserved it for its drama contribution in the past year alone. Downton Abbey obviously being the massive juggernaut that stole all the headlines - but there were several other notable successes along the way too.

Has it been the best year for ITV1? No. But there was certainly a fair few positives. I can see why the award went to them.

Thanks for that. I couldn't see whether they'd won. It is suprising, you'd think all the main channels wold have won by now.
Yeah good point. I suppose everyone just forgets that , after what has been as always a rubbish summer for ITV1. As you say they, especially with Downton Abbey they had a good end to 2010 and lots of drama sucesses.

Downton Abbey aside, I dont see why ITV 1 is worthy of channel of the year.

Well Julian Fellowes has been banging on that the BBC would have ruined Downton Abbey. In truth its a glossy chocolate box soap, so I guess it was never destined for BBC2.
So ITV1 Channel of the year, Julian Fellowes never works (or indeed ever has the need to work) for the BBC again, and Dr Who opens its new series with an episode you would need an A Level in its back story to understand.
A pretty good night for ITV it seems.

tongihts episode of Doctor Who was part of what inspired my post, when ITV makes something that is even half as awesome as that episode, then ill consider them worthy of having their listing printed in newspapers.

As for if BBC would have ruined Downton Abbey or not, cant say its not my type of show.

After watching the BBC's remake of Upstairs, Downstairs, I'm sure it's not just Fellowes who believes that.

if that was to be the case, it would due to stupid regulation forced up on it by, the press, the government or senior management (or all 3 combinded) not due to the creative and talented people at the BBC.

Those regulations would be the first thing I got rid of, given the chance.

And yet you are content for ITV to be held to out dated regulations.

I'll put it down to sour grapes! It would be nice if you could be gracious about ITV1s renaissance

ill stop doing that, when ITV leaves Channel 3, until then I can only assume that those regulations are something ITV is prefectly happy to follow.


show me one bad post I have ever made about Downton Abbey?

you should put it down to BBC airing a totally awesome episode of Doctor Who, which ITV can never hope to equal.

Just read the Jeff Ford interview and I do agree that Channel 5 aren't really given a chance but I do think it's past reputation hasn't truly been shaken but I do think if they invested in say a comedy or a drama, more people would want to work for them.

Interesting that they're planning to put panel shows around Big Brother, sounds like an inexpensive way to get back into comedy using a very good lead in.

Also interesting that they're developing inhouse shows, only Milkshake is produced inhouse, all the other shows are by independant production companies and having a Channel 5 Productions would not only save costs but if it successful then they can sell it worldwide and reap the rewards.

In case people weren't aware, you can listen to all the TV Festival controller interviews and sessions in full here: http://live.mgeitf.co.uk/audio

Not sure if I could agree with ITV1 winning channel of the year, they could qualify for being commercial channel of the year. ITN news isn't exactly popular and they are reliant on reality shows in the main. Yes Downton Abbey was critically lauded, TXF, BGT, CS and Emmerdale haven't changed from last year - I wonder if will worry BBC1 executives.