The post-school slot has been becoming increasingly irrelevant for years now. Bringing in The Weakest Link might have sped the process up, but it was always going in one direction. In a good 5.15 slot on CBBC, Blue Peter might well match or even exceed it's current numbers. In fact, all of CBBC's top 10 last week rated higher than BP's series average. If the show does wilt and die on CBBC, it'll be because the programme itself has sadly become an anachronism, not because of the schedule.

My own suggestion in terms of retaining a children's presence on BBC One would be to look at some 'crossover' programming for weekend teatimes - 5-6pm or so. Lost Christmas (commissioned by CBBC) tomorrow looks like it could be a good model for that. As would more shows in the vein of the Sarah Jane Adventures.

It wouldn't be a regular 'CBBC slot' because that puts off older children and adults, but just occasional CBBC-commissioned series where they fit. It always seems weird to me how the BBC's contribution to kids TV is always measured solely by how some specified hours perform, and ignores the massive kids audiences for Doctor Who just because thats not branded as CBBC. My model would involve fewer hours than a Saturday morning show, but I think it would make a much bigger impact.


I read that too. A glowing review of Fincham (who, for the record, I think is an excellent controller and has done a very solid job at ITV, as he did at the BBC) which did rather gloss over most problems, aside from a mention of Daybreak.

But it just goes to show what an enormous impact a big show can have on perceptions of an entire channel. Or, at least, a genre on that channel. There's simply no number of modest 4-6m primetime hits that could buy ITV that sort of boost to their reputation - simply because the newspapers just wouldn't notice.

I'm quite surprised that Blue Peter isn't already on the CBBC channel. But it's been given a good slot there so maybe this will give it a new lease of life.

Trouble is, what would do better? The Half Blood Prince, admittedly, as that'd be a premiere but they have that lined up opposite EastEnders and Sherlock on New Years Day - that could be an interesting battle!

ITV are accepting defeat but want some respectability and The Order of The Phoenix should at least give them that.

I do agree with that idea - Sarah Jane especially would make a lot more sense in a 5.30pm slot on Saturday nights than alot of the filler BBC1 play there. And when I was a kid the more high end childrens shows would get a Sunday evening slot - I think the BBC's last adaptation of The Borrowers might have played there, along with things like Just William etc.


I think it's been on and off the channel a lot in the last decade - at one point on every weeknight at 6pm, with some shows premiering on CBBC or exclusive to CBBC. At the moment I think it's just repeated at weekends.

The final throw of the dice for me for Blue Peter would be to Top Gear it - make it an hour long weekly show, perhaps get an audience in, and just make it all that little bit bigger. There is obviously the small matter of the budget to think about, but on location and in studio stunts have long been a staple of the show. It could have a 6pm slot on the CBBC channel, it could perhaps get an hour long weekend slot on BBC2. Blue Peter though has a habit of actually finding it's feet again everytime you think it's at deaths door.

And they definately need to scrap the idea of aiming it at 6-12 year olds - it's real potential audience is probably the uncool young teenagers!


Back to ratings and I guess we might get some BBC HD ratings this weekend for Strictly in 3D. Did we get any figures for Wimbledon in 3D or indeed anything on Sky 3D?

Just back from the new Sherlock Holmes movie. not much on tv tonight. At least BBC4 have a good doc on the Antartic.

Blue Peter probably resonates far more with people over 35 than it does with its target audience. At least as far as the name is concerned.
Once a national institution with presenters every bit a star as those that appeared after 7.00-now lost in a multitude of other programmes aimed at children. Sad for people of my age probably, but just a sign of the times really.

The BBC's brilliant isn't it? Proving brilliant programmes like Strictly for the masses, and something more niche for you. Agreed though, nothing on elsewhere.

Best get yourself an early night so you can be up bright and early tomorrow to grouse and snipe at the overnights in your own inimitable fashion...

Come to think of it George, you could be watching the car crash of Jessie J at the Strictly final....

Was she that bad? She was dreadful on TXF a few weeks ago too. I don't think she's a good live performer at all.

promotion for The Voice obviously

Never watched SCD before but my God they've taken lessons from TXF on pointless filler. :yawn:

Viewers seem to love or hate SCD, (just like TXF) you know within 15 minutes if it is your thing. The reason for the time filling is costume changes or indeed changing the set a little. As always there is room for improvement. I am however expecting overnights of

12.6m main show
13.0m results

They do seem high, but I am expecting them to be close.

Yeah it seemed a little padded in places. I too don't usually watch Strictly but it was good tonight - I can see why people would opt for it over X Factor. It's a warmer show. Not as dour or po-faced as XF has become.

Pot, meet kettle.

Of course before the ratings do come in, make sure that someone predicts that SCD will get about 15 million, so the high rating that it does get can be spun as poor!

Agree there-even if they have bigged the show up in the last two years, there is a unique kind of warmth to Strictly. I think It Takes Two helps in that way too.

Nazi rallies had a nice warm feeling from all the torches and book burning. It still doesnt make me want to attend one though.

Strictly has a brilliant feel good quality to it.

XF imo lost the feel good factor a good couple of series ago. When a show begins to take itself too seriously it's never a good thing and always spells disaster.

I cant believe you just compared Strictly to a Nazi rally, this thread really should never be evoking Godwins Law, its only TV after all.

No mater how bad the ITV Flop Zone gets, it wont be as bad as Hitler.

One of the more unusual Ratings Thread analogies there George!

Maybe it says a lot about The X Factor that it's Strictly's night yet we're somehow still talking about it.

Strictly has been Brilliant
I never thought id say the day that something would be better to watch than EastEnders
I've even made Enders take a back seat this week in order to catch up with IT Takes Two and the live shows

Anyway hope for some massive ratings for tonight.
The winner was very well deserved

BBC1 was brilliant all night tonight. I can't remember a more entertaining schedule for ages! I predict nearly 14 million for the SCD final.

TXF & BGT seem to be discussed round here pretty much every week of the year!