It's just common sense, really. Strictly and X Factor always used to air early in the evening - trying to get a headstart on each other. Then X Factor, which kept losing, moved later in the evening. Both shows benefitted although X Factor overtook Strictly. Then Strictly moved later in the evening (but to a point where it had a headstart). It was an obvious attempt at chasing ratings that would have both shows doing worse for the sake of egos at the BBC. Of course, when it blew up in their faces, they shuffled back to their original slot.

The suggestion isn't that either channel gives up. Merlin isn't exactly some cheap, rubbish flop drama. But there's no point in putting two massive entertainment shows on against each other just for competition when it could be easily avoided. It's not as if they're competing for the same ad money. Nor is this the 90's where audiences of 10m+ are regular things and the two channels have loads of entertainment shows competing on Saturday nights.

In this case, it's not particularly easily avoided and it's only a small overlap. I'd say the best solution would be both moving 15 minutes either way. Whether or not they do it, I'm not sure. Obviously with Strictly coming to an end in the half hour and X Factor starting, it's going to do more damage to ITV than BBC1.

I'm sure it will have an effect. Apparently Dan Lobb of Sky News fame has two left feet. Worth watching for that alone.

I actually think Strictly have done well casting wise this year. Robbie Savage should be good value as well.

I would be more tempted to watch Strictly than X Factor this autumn put it that way.

If I may add to the spin see below on Surprise Surprise:


Popstar to Operastar is a big hit in Korea (South not North).

It seems formats that are not hits in the UK can be big successes elsewhere due to the differing tastes of nations. So ITV have some chance of selling even formats that didnt do well in the UK.

Red or Black was pitched to several US networks last week for the second time - they had tried it earlier this year but most opted to wait and see the UK version. Some are said to be considering it but I doubt it'll actually happen. And ITV won't axe it until they've tried to sell it internationally.

ITV Media has posted some interesting Viewing and Average Age Statistics for the last week: http://www.itvmedia.co.uk/inside-itv...ge-week36-2011

Also:

I've seen Strictly here and there but its not my thing at all. Plus I think it's either one or the other (SCD or TXF). They take up alot of time at the weekend especially if you record it and watch the next day.

The lower than expected debut of The X Factor this week after Fox spent a small fortune on it won't help them to sell Red or Black to any of the US networks. Had that come in with Idol like numbers this week then I expect someone would have taken a gamble on Red or Black.

Having said that its possible that someone will pick it up for a summer run if SyCo and ITV can make it cheap enough.

To add to my previous post, the following two files have loads of demos and AIs for ITV programmes in the last consolidated week:

Daytime: http://www.itvmedia.co.uk/assets/itv...036%202011.xls
Peaktime: http://www.itvmedia.co.uk/assets/itv...036%202011.xls

Here's the average age of audiences for major ITV1 shows for that week:

All Star Family Fortunes: 49
Appropriate Adult: 48
Coronation Street: 50
Emmerdale: 51
Euro 2012 Qualifier: 46
Holding Out for a Hero: 50
ITV News: 58
Red or Black?: 45
Rugby World Cup Highlights: 54
The Chase: 55
The Jonathan Ross Show: 43
The X Factor: 39
Tonight: 56

The average age of an ITV1 peak time viewer that week was 49. Year-to-date, the average age of an ITV1 peak time viewer has been 52.

In terms of daytime, out of the regular shows The Jeremy Kyle Show has the youngest audience with an average age of 45. The Alan Tichmarsh Show has the oldest audience out of the non-repeat shows with an avg age of 58.

I'm surprised the average audience for Celebrity Juice is 34. I know in the grand scheme of things that's actually young but it still seems pretty old for who I imagine the audience to be.

ITV still trying to flog The Colour of Money I see!

Averages are the number one cause of accidents in the home.

It stands to reason the average age will almost always be 50, or thereabouts. It's like when you mix all the colours of a poster paint set, a muddy browny/black results.

Average age is as useful as AI.

I made a comment about X-Factor, and people responded, a discussion was had, it was hardly "endless off topic" if people didnt want to discuss it, they would not have replied to me.

Also im thinking Dancc would rather Channel 5 had not put him in the position where he had to defend Big Brother.

anyways the rest of the thread, yes ITV should aired Underbelly, ive said it too many times now.

Liking the ITV/Mip website, even if the videos are not working (my fault I think)

Thanks for the Channel 5 overnights, Dancc.

The problem Big Brother had was that it was probably the weakest highlights show of the series; I'll be interested to see the breakdowns when they come in - whether the show saw a decline over the hour before a slight boost for the result, as it wasn't that intriguing. It's a shame the interview rated badly figure wise (though it recorded a very good share) because Rebeckah's parting message has stirred the House up somewhat and would give the show some momentum going into the weekend. Bit On The Side performed very well in the 11.30 slot; they'll be pleased that Neighbours is staying above the 1m mark and The Gadget Show should improve once it moves back to Monday.

Friday 23rd September Overnights
BBC One
19:00- The One Show: 3.89m (20.8%)
19:30- Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers: 3.24m (16.1%)
20:30- Celebrity MasterChef: 2.28m (10%)
21:00- Outnumbered: 4.67m (19.9%)
21:30- Would I Lie To You?: 3.49m (15.3%)

BBC Two
19:00- Highlands on Film: 1.12m (5.9%)
19:30- Coast: 1.66m (7.9%)
20:30- Gardeners' World: 2.33m (10.2%)
21:00- Digging For Britain: 1.61m (7.0%)
22:00- QI: 3.02m (15.1%)

ITV1
20:00- Love Your Garden: 3m (14%)
21:00- DCI Banks: 4.17m (18%) , +1: 170k (0.9%)

Channel 4
20:00- Come Dine With Me: 1.31m (5.9%) , +1: 213k (0.9%)
21:00- The Million Pound Drop: 1.6m (7.3%) , +1: 225k (1.4%)
22:30- 8 Out Of 10 Cats: 1.46m (9.2%) , +1: 127k (1.4%)

Channel 5
21:00- Big Brother: Live Eviction: 1.49m (6.5%)
22:00- The Bachelor: 1.09m (6%)
23:00- Big Brother: Eviction Interview: 1.1m (8.8%)
23:30- Big Brother's Bit On The Side: 603k (7%)

Primetime Shares
ITV1: 21.4% (+1: 0.6%)
BBC One: 18.2%
BBC Two: 8.5%
Channel 4: 6.0% (+1: 0.9%)
Channel 5: 4.1%

Ratings include HD apart from BBC2, and are tape-checked where necessary

Multichannel
ITV2
21:00- The X Factor USA: 1.22m (6%) , +1: 142k

Sky 1
21:00- An Idiot Abroad: 1.33m (5.7%)
* peak: 1.54m

Source: DS

1.22m for X Factor USA plus a further 142k on ITv2+1

- m/c is really scoring well these nights

Celebrity Masterchef 2.28m (10%) - surely it cant go on like that?

I dont understand the share % difference between Five, ITv2 and Sky One at 9pm - 200k-300k difference but 4% gap?

EDIT: I see the share %'s have changed now in rzt's post above
Last edited by GeorgeS : 24-09-2011 at 16:15

Yeah, the shares in the DS article are wrong. I've corrected the shares in the roundup above.

I've always wondered what does putting the word "fame" after someone's name / a tv programme signify?

He is a presenter of Daybreak now if that is a cause of fame or infamy - you be the judge of that.

Agreed. That's a horrible figure. But a predictably horrible one given that its now a repeat of a daytime series no on is watching.

In fact excluding Outnumbered (and presumably EastEnders) not a good night for BBC1 in general. Although ITV don't seem to have fared much better with DCI Banks.

However sighs of relief at Channel 4. Million Pound Drop beats Big Brother. Be interesting to see how they did head-to-head this week.

Outnumbered seems a little low, Sky should be pleased with An Idiot Aboard.

Fringe started with a 1.5 in the demo for FOX. Not too bad, doubt it'll be renewed though.

New drama A Gifted Man got a 1.4 and 9.3m viewers for CBS.

Kitchen Nightmares got a 1.6.

Should say well done to QI too for 3m and 15% share on BBC2 at 10pm. The show seems to be better this series - at least so far. Frank Skinner was a good addition.

Celebrity MasterChef definitely needs to be pulled, 2.3m is a very poor rating for that slot, and below how Question of Sport repeats were rating. Also it seems to be hurting Outnumbered at 9pm which got its second lowest overnight rating from the last two series (lowest was 4.59m against ITV Leaders' Debate). Good rating for QI to be back above 3m which helped pull up BBC2's primetime share. Small 5% drop for DCI Banks vs. the premiere but I think it's going to fall into the low 3's next week against SCD - they should've given it a week's break. MPD is doing quite badly this series, struggling to get over 2m (inc +1) which it was capable of in previous series. I guess that's partly due to the tough competition, especially from the digital channels which had some great results. Absolutely fantastic for An Idiot Abroad, that's huge for Sky 1. Also XFUSA up from its Thursday night premiere audience with another strong rating- I suppose not having an hour up against the ITV soaps would've helped.

I'll just say that it noticeable that Fringe is the only show this year where the default position has been to compare its ratings to its season finale rather than its premiere (or in Fringe's case the Friday premiere). The same people that will be praising Fringe's 'growth' were very quick to put the knife in regarding Glee's 'erosion'.