True, but if the BBC chooses even one England group game in World Cup 2014, by the process of elimination it means that Itv will have the opportunity to choose a first pick match of a knockout round which the BBC hasnt selected so far. Whether its at 5pm or 9pm, Itv would choose that potential 1st pick knockout match because it could involve England. Even if it doesnt involve England, the ratings for the best match of the quarter final stage are likely to be higher than the ratings for the best non-England game of the group stage or at least similar. Whatever way you look at it, if BBC chooses 1 England group game, it means Itv will have the option to go for the best pick of one of the knockout stages, probably either round of 16 or quarters.


The system to pick matches has changed since 2006. Since this tournament, BBC and Itv take it in turns one after the other to choose the matches they want to - BBC got first choice this year. Apart from the final, no other matches can be simulcast under the current agreement. Theres no option available like that 2006 one which let Itv have the option to simulcast an England semi final as well as show the other semi final, now these things are pre-decided even before the tournament begins. For eg. If England get to the semi final this week, there is no option for Itv to simulcast it last minute, unlike what the case was in 2006.

Christine Bleakley was talking about next month's Olympic special on This Morning last week.

Apparently, it is just like the main show but with past Olympians from sports other than ice dancing who have had to learn to skate.

Olga Korbutt is the only one she named - evidently a childhood heroine of hers.

Also note in the press today claims that there is annoyance that ITV is not promoting the Olympics in Corrie unlike East Enders. Seems a bit daft to me as I do not recall East Enders promoting the Commonwealth Games when they were in Manchester in 2002 though Corrie had Norris as a steward in some comedy scenes, Seems perfectly reasonable given the geographical connections with each respective show.

As a gentleman's agreement rather than a legally binding contract, though, there is surely the opportunity to deviate from this if it's in the best interests of both broadcasters.

Presumably the BBC NE & Cumbria figures will be included in BBC1's reported network figure for the match itself given all regions aired the "match programme", even if the NE had a torch relay special for the first half an hour of build up?



Not that depressing. BBC1 put out its alternative schedule, as does ITV1 tonight. They didn't expect anyone to watch.

Anyway, I find it heartening that MBB can get nearly 4m late on a Saturday for a 3rd showing in 18 months - easily the best audience for S1ep2.


Can't see the point in having this discussion now really. We don't know if England will qualify or not, let alone another other home country, who they will be up against in the qualifying group, who their likely opponents would be in the 2nd round/quarters, what time the England/home nation matches will be played, and whether there will be any other scheduling considerations.

Or, indeed, whether the coin toss approach does apply to WC2014 (and won't be ripped up and subject to a new agreement by 2014)...

Like the Olympics needs any more advertising It's practically all 'dahn sarf' anyway

It's funny, I had the very same thought about at least half a dozen light entertainment commissions on BBC/ITV in the past year or so. Seems all the major broadcasters are struggling in this area so a bit odd to single one channel out off the back of one commission, especially the one with the smallest budget and fewest resources to work with. I'd rather focus on the positive which is the fact they are branching into areas they haven't much recently.

I'm sure that'll be the case because I think the network have forgotten they're even happening, on the build-up they never welcomed back the North East when it finished, just as they didn't welcome my region back when we had ours the other day, the presenter just said "Now we rejoin BBC1 where Match of the Day is in full swing", did a split screen and then just faded it up halfway through a sentence.


Yes, that's the point I was making. It does look like BBC1 are being slightly more adventurous with their alternative schedules in that there are a few new programmes in it, like that hour-long 'stEnders, whereas all ITV have risked have a few Emmerdales which have been over by 8pm. I think BBC1 didn't make much of an effort last night though as they presumably thought England would be playing last night so they wouldn't have to show it.

very true, it would be unrealistic for the Olympics not to have a massive effect on EastEnders, given that they share a post code.

It would be like a soap set in Central Peterborough, not having its characters moan about the Halfords Tour Series closing the roads in the City Centre.

You all get that reference right?

Did Corrie do anything for Manchester Football Derby thing that happened a couple of months ago? that could have caused a wild night at the Rovers.

Had England been runners up and then progressed to the first semi final, then it would have been up against Coronation Street, which would have been interesting. I suppose England beating Spain wouldn't have happened which is why Thursday's ITV schedule is noticably weaker than Wednesdays.

Regarding the WC14 picks, assuming it still will be taken in turns, assuming England are the only team to qualify, the BBC will find themselves without one of the knock out games. It seems to only be the presence of Ireland in the tournament this year which caused ITV to look quite short towards this end of the tournament.

With the Euros featuring 24 teams from 2016 onwards there is more chance that another UK host nation will qualify, therefore both broadcasters will be under pressure to pick their games first as well as Englands, both from STV/UTV/ITV Wales & within the BBC.

It's odd the soaps don't really do football, nor do they ever mention each other. The only reference I can think of is Aunt Nellie in EE mentioning a fictional Aussie soap/.

EastEnders mentioned Coronation Street when Coronation Street had it's 50th anniversary.

One of the cast members will be carrying the Olympic torch both in real life and broadcast during Eastenders. It would be a bit silly to not reference it especially with the proximity.

There was a very brief mention 'are you watching the big game' or something on Corrie the other night. I suppose they'd look daft if the match was called off.

I assume the problem with the football, is that it cant be filmed in advance, which is something EE will do from time to time, but it will never be a plot point.

Also there is the fact many watch the soaps to avoid the football, so putting a football storyline in a soap, is often not going to chime with what the fans want.

As for mentioning each other, EastEnders is not going to advertise the competition, and Corrie and Emmerdale are not going to mention each other, as it would make a future crossover harder.

Also very few events in either soap is going to get the media attention that another community would talk about it. Of course there are story's like the Corrie Tram crash, which would (if the soaps shared a reality) warrant some form of mention, simply by being a story of national importance.

There was the fictional Walford Town in the Arfer Fowler era and Grant Mitchell mentioned West Ham a few times.

There was a cross-channel crossover once after the Emmerdale plane crash where a newspaper in Brookside had the story on the front page. Phil Redmond, creator of Brookside, was involved in Emmerdale at the time and no doubt had something to do with the mention on the Channel 4 soap.

In the early days of Corrie Man U and Man City were mentioned frequently. There have been occasional mentions of West Ham in EE. Now the soaps are taped some two months in advance it's very difficult to insert topical references. EE did an insert when Michael Jackson died - Patrick said he'd heard it on the radio.And we had a sequence of Sonia and Dot watching the Queen Mother's funeral. And I seem to remember Minty went off to watch the World Cup but came back without mentioning who'd won !

they do mention football teams from time to time, but no specific details, the Monns even have a room in the Vic themed around their football team.



I had not heard of that one before.

So technically Emmerdale, Brookiside and Hollyoaks, we exist in the same verse? or was it a paper reporting on the storyline, I could picture some of the Saturday tabloids having that on the front page.

It is difficult to commission a winning formula and last year saw flops like Don't Scare the Hare and Born to Shine and this year Superstar looks like it could be an almighty flop. If you're talking about Channel 5, they need to steer clear of shows based around reality show contestants as these have all stiffed recently.

I think Superstar will do fine. It sounds quite decent compared to ITV's usual summer fare.

Rihanna was definitely meant to be on at 9pm and it was supposed to be live, it is now at 10pm, I think they're now showing highlights or her entire set on a delay.

Group matches are at 5pm, 9pm and 11pm (with one at 2am)
Round of 16 and QF matches are at 5pm and 9pm.
Semi-Finals and Final are at 8pm.

Just out of interest, why is there one at 2am? Seems a bit untidy.

Friday 22nd June Soap Overnights
BBC One
19:30- EastEnders: 7.27m (32.5%)
00:15- EastEnders Omnibus- 350k (11.1%)

ITV1
18:50- Emmerdale: 5.26m (28.6%), +1: 123k

Channel 4
18:30- Hollyoaks: 833k (4.6%)

Channel 5
13:45- Neighbours: 703k (9.3%)
17:30- Neighbours: 822k (5.7%)
18:00- Home and Away: 608k (3.7%)

Multichannel
5*
18:00- Home and Away: 454k (2.5%)

E4
19:00- Hollyoaks: 506k (2.8%).

DS

I'm not sure. I made a mistake above by the way - the semi finals kick off at 9pm not 8pm. Only the Final is at 8pm.