I would also suggest there might be a serious question about whether people would be willing to sit through the 24 minutes of ads (in Downton) on Xmas Day if they're not used to doing so.
The Ratings Thread (Part 28)
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Originally Posted by AlexiR:
“Switch Doctor Who and Strictly I'd think.
Although I'm not convinced they'll put EastEnders on that early even if ITV go ahead with the Downton on Christmas Day scheduling.”
“Switch Doctor Who and Strictly I'd think.
Although I'm not convinced they'll put EastEnders on that early even if ITV go ahead with the Downton on Christmas Day scheduling.”
If Downton airs on Christmas Day I think the BBC will pitch EastEnders directly against it as a spoiler; possibly even given the soap a slight start.
Another down night for US ratings, holiday lull setting in it seems. Everything that airs tonight will hit a season low - but the networks are ploughing on ahead regardless with the exception of CBS who have drama repeats from 9pm.
It would seem to be a case of the programming people, seeking the kudos associated with Christmas Day TV in the UK, managing to convince the higher ups that what they lose in ad revenue, they'll make up for in brand image.
Like you, I suspect that'll backfire anyway and they'll end up with press headlines about how nearly everything on BBC1's schedule beat it. And the accountants will roll their eyes and say "we told you so!"
Might get a fair timeshift, though.
It's not just the slot for X Factor but also the lead-out. The 9.30pm start time is far better for something like Text Santa trying to hold as much of the XF audience as possible (I suspect people would be far less willing to commit to another show at 10pm on a Sunday night).
Of course there would. But then it's a very different scenario.
Originally Posted by AlexiR:
“I still can't quite understand the logic (from ITV's perspective) of putting Downton on Christmas Day. It just looks a lot like throwing money down the toilet and not because people won't watch it but because I can't see advertisers paying top drawer for it in this slot. There's also the potentially embarrassing possibility that 'the nations biggest drama' doesn't rate any better than the Agatha Christie drama last year and gets beat down by the BBC.”
“I still can't quite understand the logic (from ITV's perspective) of putting Downton on Christmas Day. It just looks a lot like throwing money down the toilet and not because people won't watch it but because I can't see advertisers paying top drawer for it in this slot. There's also the potentially embarrassing possibility that 'the nations biggest drama' doesn't rate any better than the Agatha Christie drama last year and gets beat down by the BBC.”
It would seem to be a case of the programming people, seeking the kudos associated with Christmas Day TV in the UK, managing to convince the higher ups that what they lose in ad revenue, they'll make up for in brand image.
Like you, I suspect that'll backfire anyway and they'll end up with press headlines about how nearly everything on BBC1's schedule beat it. And the accountants will roll their eyes and say "we told you so!"
Might get a fair timeshift, though.
Originally Posted by rzt:
“I think if the BBC had kept SCD at 7.25-8pm, it would've forced ITV to move TXF Final to 8-10pm. 8-10pm is arguably not as good as 7.30-9.30pm (without SCD clash) due to the slightly later end-time as total TV audience usually drops off after 9pm, so in a way maybe the BBC moving SCD earlier to 7pm did do ITV a favour because they now get the prime 7.30-9.30pm slot. ”
“I think if the BBC had kept SCD at 7.25-8pm, it would've forced ITV to move TXF Final to 8-10pm. 8-10pm is arguably not as good as 7.30-9.30pm (without SCD clash) due to the slightly later end-time as total TV audience usually drops off after 9pm, so in a way maybe the BBC moving SCD earlier to 7pm did do ITV a favour because they now get the prime 7.30-9.30pm slot. ”
It's not just the slot for X Factor but also the lead-out. The 9.30pm start time is far better for something like Text Santa trying to hold as much of the XF audience as possible (I suspect people would be far less willing to commit to another show at 10pm on a Sunday night).
Originally Posted by MattJKR:
“You can imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and say the BBC chose to schedule say a new Wallace & Gromit short against The X Factor final there'd be uproar from the commerical broadcaster.”
“You can imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and say the BBC chose to schedule say a new Wallace & Gromit short against The X Factor final there'd be uproar from the commerical broadcaster.”
Of course there would. But then it's a very different scenario.
I think the cliffhanger and still to come newspaper publicity will give Downton Abbey a major advantage over previous ITV1 Christmas Day dramas that dropped 20%-30% such as Doc Martin. I'm sure the newspapers are going to be printing (front page?) stories about it all week beforehand. The only thing the BBC have that could beat it head-to-head is Eastenders I think. The trouble for the BBC is, with Corrie airing right before Downton and with the same audience profile as Downton, will they then get the soap audience back over for Eastenders.
As an Eastenders fan I will be firmly routing for EE though.
If Downton is airing as the last show of the evening before the late news then ITV could reduce the number of ad-breaks in it and run it 9pm-10:45pm or something. They might as well seeing as commercial income will be very low that night anyway.
As an Eastenders fan I will be firmly routing for EE though.
Originally Posted by JCR:
“I would also suggest there might be a serious question about whether people would be willing to sit through the 24 minutes of ads (in Downton) on Xmas Day if they're not used to doing so.”
“I would also suggest there might be a serious question about whether people would be willing to sit through the 24 minutes of ads (in Downton) on Xmas Day if they're not used to doing so.”
If Downton is airing as the last show of the evening before the late news then ITV could reduce the number of ad-breaks in it and run it 9pm-10:45pm or something. They might as well seeing as commercial income will be very low that night anyway.
Originally Posted by dan2008:
“I did think about DR who before Strictly but it looks better the other way i think.
EastEnders has aired in that slot before so it could happen”
“I did think about DR who before Strictly but it looks better the other way i think.
EastEnders has aired in that slot before so it could happen”
The BBC seem to have moved away from EastEnders book ending the Christmas Day schedule in recent times though. I imagine a large part of that decision is down to the fact that ITV have completely thrown in the towel with every pre-soaps on Christmas Day so the BBC have the monopoly on the audience regardless of what they air there.
Originally Posted by dave01:
“I think the cliffhanger and still to come newspaper publicity will give Downton Abbey a major advantage over previous ITV1 Christmas Day dramas that dropped 20%-30% such as Doc Martin. I'm sure the newspapers are going to be printing (front page?) stories about it all week beforehand. The only thing the BBC have that could beat it head-to-head is Eastenders I think. The trouble for the BBC is, with Corrie airing right before Downton and with the same audience profile as Downton, will they then get the soap audience back over for Eastenders.”
“I think the cliffhanger and still to come newspaper publicity will give Downton Abbey a major advantage over previous ITV1 Christmas Day dramas that dropped 20%-30% such as Doc Martin. I'm sure the newspapers are going to be printing (front page?) stories about it all week beforehand. The only thing the BBC have that could beat it head-to-head is Eastenders I think. The trouble for the BBC is, with Corrie airing right before Downton and with the same audience profile as Downton, will they then get the soap audience back over for Eastenders.”
I think you might be overestimating the press coverage for the Christmas special. Worth remembering that we've got The X Factor finale, the I Am Celebrity... finale and the Strictly finale all on the horizon and between them I imagine they'll dominate a lot of the press heading into Christmas. In addition to that the BBC is actually in a position to counter some of the Downton hype now with some impressive heavyweight drama of their own not to mention the return of David Jason to BBC1 comedy (and on Christmas Day we assume) and the usual EastEnders Christmas PR blitz. Plus Downton won't just have won Emmy's driving its press coverage and ITV's commercial loading of the series seems to have soured some corners of the press on it.
Also if I'm remembering rightly didn't both Doctor Who and Strictly beat Coronation Street last year (Strictly head-to-head)? So there's a very good chance that they'll provide a stronger lead-in to EastEnders than Coronation Street will for Downton.
Originally Posted by AlexiR:
“Also if I'm remembering rightly didn't both Doctor Who and Strictly beat Coronation Street last year (Strictly head-to-head)? So there's a very good chance that they'll provide a stronger lead-in to EastEnders than Coronation Street will for Downton.”
“Also if I'm remembering rightly didn't both Doctor Who and Strictly beat Coronation Street last year (Strictly head-to-head)? So there's a very good chance that they'll provide a stronger lead-in to EastEnders than Coronation Street will for Downton.”
Yep, final ratings for 25/12/2010:
1. EastEnders 20:00, BBC1- 12.61m (44.2%)
2. Come Fly With Me 22:00, BBC1- 12.47m (43.3%)
3. Doctor Who 18:00, BBC1- 12.11m (41.8%)
4. The Royle Family 21:00, BBC1- 11.29m (39.3%)
5. Strictly Come Dancing 19:00, BBC1- 10.96m (36.0%)
6. Coronation Street 19:00, ITV1- 10.40m (33.8%)
7. The One Ronnie 17:10, BBC1- 8.79m (38.9%)
8. Emmerdale 18:00, ITV1- 8.24m (28.3%)
Originally Posted by AlexiR:
“I think you might be overestimating the press coverage for the Christmas special. Worth remembering that we've got The X Factor finale, the I Am Celebrity... finale and the Strictly finale all on the horizon and between them I imagine they'll dominate a lot of the press heading into Christmas. In addition to that the BBC is actually in a position to counter some of the Downton hype now with some impressive heavyweight drama of their own not to mention the return of David Jason to BBC1 comedy (and on Christmas Day we assume) and the usual EastEnders Christmas PR blitz. Plus Downton won't just have won Emmy's driving its press coverage and ITV's commercial loading of the series seems to have soured some corners of the press on it.
Also if I'm remembering rightly didn't both Doctor Who and Strictly beat Coronation Street last year (Strictly head-to-head)? So there's a very good chance that they'll provide a stronger lead-in to EastEnders than Coronation Street will for Downton.”
“I think you might be overestimating the press coverage for the Christmas special. Worth remembering that we've got The X Factor finale, the I Am Celebrity... finale and the Strictly finale all on the horizon and between them I imagine they'll dominate a lot of the press heading into Christmas. In addition to that the BBC is actually in a position to counter some of the Downton hype now with some impressive heavyweight drama of their own not to mention the return of David Jason to BBC1 comedy (and on Christmas Day we assume) and the usual EastEnders Christmas PR blitz. Plus Downton won't just have won Emmy's driving its press coverage and ITV's commercial loading of the series seems to have soured some corners of the press on it.
Also if I'm remembering rightly didn't both Doctor Who and Strictly beat Coronation Street last year (Strictly head-to-head)? So there's a very good chance that they'll provide a stronger lead-in to EastEnders than Coronation Street will for Downton.”
Last year overnights it was Strictly 9.4m, corrie 9m, Dr Who 10.3m, EE 11.4m. I think the newspapers will have moved away from IAC, Strictly and X-Factor by around the 21st/22nd so there will be scope for Downton to get in on the action. Strictly final is on the 17th.
I think this year overnights will be something like this or move everything half hour earlier:
6:30 - EE - 9m
7pm - Dr Who - 10m
8pm - Strictly - 9m
9pm - EE - 10.5m
9.30 - comedy - 9m
7pm Emmers - 7.2m [+1 150k]
8pm - Corrie - 9m [+1 200k]
9pm - Downton - 8m [+1 400k]
If the Beeb decide to pitch comedy instead of Eastenders at Downton's start time juntion then I'd add a million to Downton's rating and expect Downton to win the slot. If EE really is 2 x 40min episodes, (which I think is too much even for me as a fan) then that confuses things though. Also if ITV were not airing Downton I'd add 1m-1.5m to EE and 1m to the 9:30 comedy.
US Network News Ratings
Week of November 14
Although still far behind market leader NBC, CBS Evening News continues to make steady progress with its audience up 10% on the same week last year and enjoying its highest average since January:.
Average nightly audiences:
1. NBC Nightly News w/Brian Williams 9.06 million
2. ABC World News w/Diane Sawyer 8.01 m
3. CBS Evening News w/Scott Pelley 6.75 m
c Neilsen
Week of November 14
Although still far behind market leader NBC, CBS Evening News continues to make steady progress with its audience up 10% on the same week last year and enjoying its highest average since January:.
Average nightly audiences:
1. NBC Nightly News w/Brian Williams 9.06 million
2. ABC World News w/Diane Sawyer 8.01 m
3. CBS Evening News w/Scott Pelley 6.75 m
c Neilsen
My wild conspiracy theory a couple of weeks ago regarding ITV conspiring to cock up delivery of the Royles thus leaving the BBC exposed on Christmas Night and the way clear for DA doesn't seem so wild now does it?
Originally Posted by RobbieSykes123:
“My wild conspiracy theory a couple of weeks ago regarding ITV conspiring to cock up delivery of the Royles thus leaving the BBC exposed on Christmas Night and the way clear for DA doesn't seem so wild now does it?”
“My wild conspiracy theory a couple of weeks ago regarding ITV conspiring to cock up delivery of the Royles thus leaving the BBC exposed on Christmas Night and the way clear for DA doesn't seem so wild now does it?”
ITV are running a business - if your theory turned out to be correct it would have a disastrous effect on them.
Originally Posted by RobbieSykes123:
“My wild conspiracy theory a couple of weeks ago regarding ITV conspiring to cock up delivery of the Royles thus leaving the BBC exposed on Christmas Night and the way clear for DA doesn't seem so wild now does it?”
“My wild conspiracy theory a couple of weeks ago regarding ITV conspiring to cock up delivery of the Royles thus leaving the BBC exposed on Christmas Night and the way clear for DA doesn't seem so wild now does it?”
No it still does seem like the raving fantasy of a member of the green ink brigade.
Any news of Thats Britain yet? It will be interesting to see if its hypnotic car crash quality kept viewers hooked or not.
Some more from yesterday:
The Cafe (Ep 1 - 9:00pm) - 409k (1.7%)
The Cafe (Ep 2 - 9:30pm) - 429k (1.8%)
Your Money and How They Spend It - 1.4m (5.8%)
Chris Moyles’s Quiz Night - 1.3m (7.3%)
Paul Merton’s Adventures - 711k (4%)
Source: Attentional.
The Cafe (Ep 1 - 9:00pm) - 409k (1.7%)
The Cafe (Ep 2 - 9:30pm) - 429k (1.8%)
Your Money and How They Spend It - 1.4m (5.8%)
Chris Moyles’s Quiz Night - 1.3m (7.3%)
Paul Merton’s Adventures - 711k (4%)
Source: Attentional.
Originally Posted by Dancc:
“That's Britain: 4m (17.1%).
I thought so.
”
“That's Britain: 4m (17.1%).
I thought so.
”
I can't see it getting anymore than that over its run to be honest.
Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1:
“Such a shame must have got hit hard by the football.”
“Such a shame must have got hit hard by the football.”
That can be painful indeed.
But it was only Chelsea who dont rate well - more likely people were still throwing up after watching Thats Britain.
Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1:
“Such a shame must have got hit hard by the football.”
“Such a shame must have got hit hard by the football.”
I'd assume so. But isn't that roughly what episode 1 got?
Originally Posted by GeorgeS:
“That can be painful indeed.
But it was only Chelsea who dont rate well - more likely people were still throwing up after watching Thats Britain.”
“That can be painful indeed.
But it was only Chelsea who dont rate well - more likely people were still throwing up after watching Thats Britain.”
Did you see any of That's Britain George? Dire doesn't cover it!
Originally Posted by Dancc:
“That's Britain: 4m (17.1%).
I thought so.”
“That's Britain: 4m (17.1%).
I thought so.
”
Much more than it deserved. Total garbage.
Wednesday's overnights:
BBC1
Breakfast 1.6m 36.5%
BBC News at Six 4.9m 25.5%
Regional News and Weather 5.8m 27.8%
The One Show 5.3m 25.0%
EastEnders 8.1m 35.6%
That's Britain! 4.0m 17.1%
Frozen Planet 6.6m 27.2%
BBC News at Ten 4.6m 23.3%
Regional News and Weather / The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 3.5m 20.5%
Who Do You Think You Are? Ashley Judd 1.7m 13.7%
Film 2011 0.7m 8.4%
ITV (inc ITV+1)
Daybreak 0.7m 18.2%
Lorraine 1.0m 20.4%
The Jeremy Kyle Show 1.5m 28.5%
ITV News & Weather 3.2m 15.6%
Emmerdale 6.5m 30.8%
UEFA Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen v Chelsea 3.6m 15.2%
ITV News at Ten & Weather 1.7m 8.7%
UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 1.0m 8.8%
Homes from Hell 0.5m 8.0%
BBC2
Strictly Come Dancing - It Takes Two 2.7m 12.8%
Heir Hunters 1.7m 7.7%
MasterChef: The Professionals 3.0m 12.9%
Your Money and How They Spend It 1.4m 5.9%
Life's Too Short 1.1m 5.8%
Newsnight 0.7m 5.2%
Ian Hislop: When Bankers Were Good 0.4m 5.4%
C4 (C4+1)
Hollyoaks 1.2m 5.7%
Channel 4 News 0.7m 3.4%
Kirstie's Handmade Britain 1.8m 7.7%
Grand Designs 2.4m 9.8%
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night 1.5m 8.0%
Alan Carr: Chatty Man 0.8m 8.6%
Five
OK! TV 0.4m 1.8%
5 News at 7 0.2m 0.9%
New Highland Emergency 0.7m 3.0%
Dangerous Drivers' School 0.9m 3.8%
Soho Blues 0.9m 3.5%
Paul Merton's Adventures 0.7m 4.0%
BBC HD
Coast 0.050m 0.23%
MasterChef: The Professionals 0.124m 0.53%
Your Money and How They Spend It 0.043m 0.18%
Wainwright's Walks 0.038m 0.19%
BBC1
Breakfast 1.6m 36.5%
BBC News at Six 4.9m 25.5%
Regional News and Weather 5.8m 27.8%
The One Show 5.3m 25.0%
EastEnders 8.1m 35.6%
That's Britain! 4.0m 17.1%
Frozen Planet 6.6m 27.2%
BBC News at Ten 4.6m 23.3%
Regional News and Weather / The National Lottery Wednesday Night Draws 3.5m 20.5%
Who Do You Think You Are? Ashley Judd 1.7m 13.7%
Film 2011 0.7m 8.4%
ITV (inc ITV+1)
Daybreak 0.7m 18.2%
Lorraine 1.0m 20.4%
The Jeremy Kyle Show 1.5m 28.5%
ITV News & Weather 3.2m 15.6%
Emmerdale 6.5m 30.8%
UEFA Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen v Chelsea 3.6m 15.2%
ITV News at Ten & Weather 1.7m 8.7%
UEFA Champions League: Extra Time 1.0m 8.8%
Homes from Hell 0.5m 8.0%
BBC2
Strictly Come Dancing - It Takes Two 2.7m 12.8%
Heir Hunters 1.7m 7.7%
MasterChef: The Professionals 3.0m 12.9%
Your Money and How They Spend It 1.4m 5.9%
Life's Too Short 1.1m 5.8%
Newsnight 0.7m 5.2%
Ian Hislop: When Bankers Were Good 0.4m 5.4%
C4 (C4+1)
Hollyoaks 1.2m 5.7%
Channel 4 News 0.7m 3.4%
Kirstie's Handmade Britain 1.8m 7.7%
Grand Designs 2.4m 9.8%
Chris Moyles' Quiz Night 1.5m 8.0%
Alan Carr: Chatty Man 0.8m 8.6%
Five
OK! TV 0.4m 1.8%
5 News at 7 0.2m 0.9%
New Highland Emergency 0.7m 3.0%
Dangerous Drivers' School 0.9m 3.8%
Soho Blues 0.9m 3.5%
Paul Merton's Adventures 0.7m 4.0%
BBC HD
Coast 0.050m 0.23%
MasterChef: The Professionals 0.124m 0.53%
Your Money and How They Spend It 0.043m 0.18%
Wainwright's Walks 0.038m 0.19%
Film 2011 is dire and it shows in the ratings. Beaten by a Chatty Man repeat.
Time to bring in Kermode or someone else who knows what they are talking about when it comes to movies.
Time to bring in Kermode or someone else who knows what they are talking about when it comes to movies.
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