It does say that "currently it is with the BBC but other broadcasters have shown an interest".

I personally think the BBC are keen to find a rival for Downton Abbey. There's no reason why this wouldn't be true but at the same time, I'd say we need to wait for confirmation.

I would say though, that the report says the author will co-write the screenplay from series 2. Series 1 is an accurate retelling of her book and has been greenlit for 8 episodes. She is, by all accounts, at least according to the report, an experienced screenplay writer so why wouldn't the BBC use her skills?

ABC:
8pm - Wipeout - 5.87m (1.8)
9pm - Grey's Anatomy - 9.32m (3.4)
10pm - Private Practice - 6.10m (2.1)

CBS:
8pm - The Big Bang Theory - 15.71m (5.2)
8.30pm - Rob! - 11.73m (3.6)
9pm - Person of Interest - 14.34m (3.3)
10pm - The Mentalist - 14.02m (2.9)

FOX:
8pm - American Idol - 17.74m (5.6)
9pm - The Finder - 6.78m (2.2)

NBC:
8pm - 30 Rock - 4.08m (1.6)
8.30pm - Parks & Recreation - 4.31m (2.0)
9pm - The Office - 5.98m (2.9)
9.30pm - Up All Night - 4.03m (1.9)
10pm - The Firm - 3.41m (0.9)

Tvbythenumbers

The Big Bang Theory topped American Idol in A18-49 between 8pm and 8.30pm (5.2 vs 5.1). Idol was down 28% from the same night last year, 20% vs the same hour (last year was a 2 hour show). It's a series low for an "in season" broadcast, although will likely be adjusted up (FOX will probably order fast finals).

Good night for CBS with TBBT down just a tenth from last week. Rob held up against Idol and Person of Interest hit a series high.

30 Rock hit a series low, The Firm continued to slide towards an early cancellation and Up All Night isn't really benefitting in that 9.30pm slot.

Not much to shout about last night, Channel 4 the pick of the bunch there. Have to say I am confused why Gypsy Blood was in the 10pm slot, would have probably got double that in a 9pm slot considering it has the word 'Gypsy' in the title...

Suggestions on Twitter TBBT becomes first show ever to beat Idol in ratings. That true? I can't think of any other show that has done it. Big 100th episode last night.

You've just highlighted more inaccuracies. If other broadcasters have shown an interest, why would the BBC have commissioned two series? Either the BBC is one of a number of parties considering the project, or other parties are irrelevant because the BBC has bought the rights (which they would have to have if they were commissioning a series). Which is it?

The author isn't an experienced screenplay writer. Look on her website. She has no broadcast credits.

And the BBC has a rival for Downton Abbey: Upstairs, Downstairs - one of the series DA modelled itself on. Why does it need another one (especially after what will have to have paid for the UD rights)? And how could it afford it? DA is only made affordable to ITV because it has massive co-production money in it.

I too await confirmation - but there's still something not right about this story ...

The story has been amended by the writer now. Looks like it'll be a series but it's more what the author of the book wants to happen than it being commissioned yet. Have another read.

Hmm ... as I suspected, then.

Nice try, Claire!

In adults 18-49, that seems likely. Although FOX ordered rushed finals and Idol and TBBT are currently tied in the 8pm half hour. TBBT finals won't be in for a few hours so that could change.

Also on a smaller scale, Person of Interest came very close to beating Grey's Anatomy at 9pm in the demo. I can't imagine Grey's has lost to many other shows in A18-49 with the exception of 2 hour Thursday episodes of Idol.

Might be that the original report revealed more than they were allowed.......................................A commissioning confirmation to follow in a month or two I reckon!

Certainly possible (I can't remember anything that would have done before now off the top of my head). I'd wait to see if holds when the final numbers come out later before getting to excited though.

On the subject of the US numbers

The Finder confirms that its not going to last very long. I do wonder how long Fox will tolerate that number out of Idol (not long would be my guess). It may very well be in the best interest of everyone concerned to switch the two shows sooner rather than later and let Idol take the 9PM slot which should increase its numbers. There's no point wasting the Idol lead-in at this stage and they've not really got anything else they'll put there.

NBC's terrible season continues to roll on. Although Parks & Rec looks like it might have been the star of their schedule last night. It was up vs. last week which is no easy feat opposite Idol. I suspect it might have picked up some of the viewers who ditched Rob on CBS which hasn't immediately collapsed so CBS can breathe a slight sigh of relief. Sticking with NBC though they're in a bit of an awkward position with The Firm – they've already paid for 20 episodes so they're going to have air them. I doubt they'll all air on Thursday night though. My guess remains that Awake will now inevitably have to take that slot sooner or later. If they're wise they'll make that decision in time to promote the switch during the Super Bowl.

ABC need to get Private Practice out of that 10PM slot and put something there that might actually benefit from what's left of the Grey's lead-in. And CBS have to be a little bit happy that Person of Interest isn't the complete disaster it looked like it was going to be at the start of the season. Of course given the hype and cost that's still been a big disappointment for them. It should survive at this level though just maybe not on Thursday at 9PM.

Sounds to me like the author was trying to drum up interest in her book. She also claims on her website that another of her books is being made into a two part series, considering these books are practically unheard of, it seems very unlikely. Her interview is very vague, even if it is in development by a production company, it's possible no one will want to pick it up. There are tons of shows that are developed but come to nothing especially period dramas which are very expensive. That's why most period dramas are adaptations of bestselling novels or are written by award winning scriptwriters.

Yeah fair point!

On thinking about it, would the BBC actually WANT a show called "Whittington Manor" which would lead it to being accused of copying or ripping off Downton Abbey? The synopsis does sound a bit dull!

I will just look forward to "Ripper Street".

Seems Channel 5 are rolling out their US imports slowly, wonder if The Mentalist the week after as unlike last year, they're not that close. Its weird they're not showing CSI yet,

During season 1 of Downton Abbey, ITV were reportedly paying 75% of the costs, PBS about 10% and the remaining 15% were from the own production company (in the hope they would make it back through pre-sales/DVD sales etc). For a high budget period drama, I'm sure that's quite normal. For season 2 onwards, I imagine ITV are paying more than what they were for season 1 due to its success.

which when you think about it, makes it even more of a miracle Downton happened at all, NBC known more for its screw ups of late.


in your expert (on Channel 5) opinion, with v ending Week 6, does that mean that Mentalist will return Week 7?

I certainly hope so, CSI: NY, NCIS and the Mentalist will make me very happy.

It probably makes more sense to return them in ones and twos rather than all at once, so they can maximise promotion for each and nothing slips under the radar.


No idea. Hopefully so. But if it does, it'll have to be on Fridays. Europa League Football returns in Week 7 to keep Thursday evenings eventful.

Emmerdale as consistent as ever! 7.6m for both episodes last Thursday and 7.6m for both this week too. Emmerdale is currently averaging 7.5m in the overnights (full-slots). Corrie received a mini-bump. Hopefully next Monday both eps can be 10m+ for Becky's exit. EE is having a good year so far. EL did very badly. Under 3m. I wonder how low it will go? American Idol didn't do that well. I thought it used to launch to figures of close to 1m on ITV2.

I now invite the thread, to tell me what I managed to forget about? again!

Looking at BARB, only in 2010 when it launched with over 1.4 million viewers. Other years it's tended to launch around the 700,000 mark (officials). We'll see a week Monday but that could well turn out to be its lowest ever UK opener. Coupled with the disappointing US figures too, it's not having a great time of it.

I see Cowell's latest is he wants to send a performing dog or whatever else wins BGT into space. He really has lost it.

BBC One had a reasonable if not brilliant night. It's sad to see Earthflight unfortunately dip under the 4m mark. EastEnders did ok, and Masterchef is benefiting from struggling opposition from ITV1 to record an ok figure.

Coronation Street did ok for a Thursday; Eternal Law lost around 0.11m so it looks like it's found it's level. Like Earthflight, I'm disappointed to see that it's dropping viewers. Emmerdale did very well but Tonight struggled as soap opposition considering some shows can claim 4m against EastEnders.

A quiet night for BBC Two after the strong performances of Stargazing. The 6pm hour still performs strongly for Channel 4 and I bet the demos are excellent and they had an excellent night between 8pm and 11pm with three shows over 2m. Celebrity Big Brother is trundling on on Channel 5; Police Interceptors did well at 7pm though World's Greatest Heroes didn't build on the lead in.

I think the wheels are slowly falling off the Cowell bandwagon. Should American Idol start to falter badly, and this is where he makes his real money, then it doesn't bode well for the rest of his empire as TXF USA didn't do that well, Red or Black stiffed over here, BGT and TXF UK were both down. Maybe people are becoming tired of these shows and in a cut throat market like America shows can be cancelled suddenly.

Or repeat it in HD with subtitles as this intellectual highlight of the year is unmissable. Also the triple boxed set director's cut DVD should be a major seller

Seems at complete odds to his previous comment tyat he's not as arrogant or cocky as before.

Re. American Idol, I think FOX have made a mistake with airing both The X Factor and American Idol as it's flooding the schedule. ITV1 (for once; I guess it had to happen!) actually made the right decision in dropping the Idol franchise completely to let The X Factor breathe. As it stands Idol and The X Factor are strangling each other, with The Voice lending a helping hand.

I wonder if The Voice will start strangling The X Factor over here too. If it does, I bet certain anti-BBC media outlets will have the knives out saying they're damaging commercial channels by airing an X Factor rip off (which'll be ironic considering they spent the autumn mocking The X Factor's ratings!)

Simon Cowell left American Idol two years ago.

And last week's impressive start to the series might as well have not happened. It seems you can only draw the big audiences with extraordinary tales of real life jeopardy if it's something which could affect holiday plans, otherwise interest falls off a cliff!

Shame really as the second episode was just as good as the first and a real reassuring piece of television in times quite the contrary.