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The Official Christmas Radio Times 2013 Countdown Thread
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CoolElvis
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by Claires_dad:
“We don't watch the soaps either but unfortunately millions do and they always do well in the ratings, can't see them not having them on at Christmas anytime soon.

2012 Final Christmas Day Ratings :

1) EastEnders (BBC1) 11.31m
2) Downton Abbey (ITV1) 10.28m
3) Call The Midwife (BBC1) 10.18m
4) Coronation Street (ITV1) 10.16m
5) The Royle Family (BBC1) 9.9m
6) Doctor Who (BBC1) 9.87m
7) Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1) 9.17m
8) Emmerdale (ITV1) 7.12m
9) The Queen (BBC1/ITV1) 6.58m
10) BBC News (BBC1) 6.34m”

I agree it's unlikely to change. However, cant help but think as they always get primetime slots they are guaranteed good raings. Put something big and festive in place, comedy or LE, ans surely they would do just a well may be better.

Soaps are just easier for the broadcasters though i suppose.

Poor lack of effort in my opinion.
Babycakes15
04-12-2013
I bought new highlighters earlier! Looking forward to sitting down with a nice cup of tea, Christmas episodes of My Family in the background and choosing what I want to watch, record and looking for the repeats. Last year I managed to pick my copy up on the Saturday from a service station on the M25, this year I'll have to wait till next week when it's out in shops seeing as I live in the back of beyond.

Very disappointed with the timing of Outnumbered, it's very late!
Boyontbridge
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by CoolElvis:
“I agree it's unlikely to change. However, cant help but think as they always get primetime slots they are guaranteed good raings. Put something big and festive in place, comedy or LE, ans surely they would do just a well may be better.

Soaps are just easier for the broadcasters though i suppose.

Poor lack of effort in my opinion.”

The fact is that the BBC is a public service to which we pay and therefore the 'ratings war' that they get embroilled in shouldn't matter. Commercial channels get their revenue streams from advertisers and can charge accordingly but the bbc should not be putting out programmes simply to get the highest viewing figures. It's not what they are there to do
rickideeuk
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by CoolElvis:
“I agree it's unlikely to change. However, cant help but think as they always get primetime slots they are guaranteed good raings. Put something big and festive in place, comedy or LE, ans surely they would do just a well may be better.

Soaps are just easier for the broadcasters though i suppose.

Poor lack of effort in my opinion.”

Exactly this^

But unfortunatley It's all down to money, the sets are already built, the actors and production staff are all on salary. So the channels save themselves the thousands (maybe millions) of pounds it would cost to create a load of new Christmas specials!

Sad times but can't see it changing
djonshore
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by Boyontbridge:
“The fact is that the BBC is a public service to which we pay and therefore the 'ratings war' that they get embroilled in shouldn't matter. Commercial channels get their revenue streams from advertisers and can charge accordingly but the bbc should not be putting out programmes simply to get the highest viewing figures. It's not what they are there to do”

Totally agree. It's a shame that the BBC are looking for ratings and they are always trying to copy ITV with reality stuff on Saturdays/Sundays.

I just wish they'd look beyond ratings and release that they don't need to go to war with other broadcasters.

Unfortunately soaps are all year round and there will be complaints once again next Summer when the World Cup is on.
digiblade
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by Boyontbridge:
“The fact is that the BBC is a public service to which we pay and therefore the 'ratings war' that they get embroilled in shouldn't matter. Commercial channels get their revenue streams from advertisers and can charge accordingly but the bbc should not be putting out programmes simply to get the highest viewing figures. It's not what they are there to do”

Its a public service broadcaster that has had its income severely cut amidst public consensus that it needs to address the majority audience yet reduce its licence fee burden upon them. If the BBC ignored ratings it would then be, by definition, a broadcaster making minority programming paid for by the majority.

BBC 1 is just one of its array of TV & radio channels and the one whose job it is to attract ratings.The Christmas ratings are vitally important for the channel and the BBC as a whole.

I completely agree about the soaps but don't find this a problem on BBC4, BBC2 or radio 4.
marke09
04-12-2013
Inside the 14 - 20 issue is a questionaire on how they could improve RT - lets all fill it in (online too) and try and get the daytime listings back!

Also its looking at the moment as no price rise for RT - first two issues after Christmas is priced at £1.60. First issue of January is onsale Christmas Eve
lundo
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by Boyontbridge:
“The fact is that the BBC is a public service to which we pay and therefore the 'ratings war' that they get embroilled in shouldn't matter. Commercial channels get their revenue streams from advertisers and can charge accordingly but the bbc should not be putting out programmes simply to get the highest viewing figures. It's not what they are there to do”

I don't like the soaps either but millions do. Maybe the BBC shouldn't get in a 'ratings war' but surely if millions watch it they are entitled to broadcast it. What's the point in producing a programme, no matter how well made, if only five people are going to watch it?
CoolElvis
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by lundo:
“I don't like the soaps either but millions do. Maybe the BBC shouldn't get in a 'ratings war' but surely if millions watch it they are entitled to broadcast it. What's the point in producing a programme, no matter how well made, if only five people are going to watch it?”

Although you are assuming alternative programming wouldnt attract even more viewers.

Soaps attract many millions of viewers but they have limits. I think that LE shows would attract more. May be not to start with (though quite possibly) but within a few years easily. Soaps have had years to capture their audience. Its time for a change and some mid to long term planning by broadcasters.

I know, i know, never going to happen in this instant gratification society. Doesn't stop me wanting it though.
lundo
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by CoolElvis:
“Although you are assuming alternative programming wouldnt attract even more viewers.

Soaps attract many millions of viewers but they have limits. I think that LE shows would attract more. May be not to start with (though quite possibly) but within a few years easily. Soaps have had years to capture their audience. Its time for a change and some mid to long term planning by broadcasters.

I know, i know, never going to happen in this instant gratification society. Doesn't stop me wanting it though.”

The thing is, it's all about variety. We may complain about the soaps but there are only really three (Enders, Corrie, Emmerdale)and they only take up half hour every episode, so there's plenty of other stuff to watch. I know these episodes are longer on Christmas Day, but just watch something else you've recorded instead of the soaps, there's always an alternative.
CoolElvis
04-12-2013
Originally Posted by lundo:
“The thing is, it's all about variety. We may complain about the soaps but there are only really three (Enders, Corrie, Emmerdale)and they only take up half hour every episode, so there's plenty of other stuff to watch. I know these episodes are longer on Christmas Day, but just watch something else you've recorded instead of the soaps, there's always an alternative. ”

You are right. There is always a choice.

My concern is that by relying on soaps for christmas ratings, which as someone else pointed out are cheap to produce, the what quality alternatives are we missing out on?
jay04
04-12-2013
with outnumbered being on that late i think it's going to be a repeat episoode like they did with vicar of dibley
leicslad46
04-12-2013
Now you have a rough idea of what the channels are offering i will refrain from buying any tv listings magazine that covers christmas. All mainstream channels have failed in being innovative this year and we are stuck with soaps and celeb driven quizshows as is the case on itv
Nidgey
04-12-2013
Any chance we'll get to see The Greatest Store In The World this year? One of my all time favourites, also any chance of any Wind In The WIllows kind of christmas oldies?
burbe
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by Nidgey:
“Any chance we'll get to see The Greatest Store In The World this year? One of my all time favourites, also any chance of any Wind In The WIllows kind of christmas oldies?”

I used to love that film! I haven't seen it scheduled anywhere in quite a few years though, unfortunately!
smokeycat
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by Nidgey:
“Any chance we'll get to see The Greatest Store In The World this year? One of my all time favourites, also any chance of any Wind In The WIllows kind of christmas oldies?”

What this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T37stc22OQk

I've never seen it but people keep mentioning it. I might watch it when I get a chance.

When was it last on TV?
Nidgey
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by smokeycat:
“What this one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T37stc22OQk

I've never seen it but people keep mentioning it. I might watch it when I get a chance.

When was it last on TV?”

Yeah that's the one not quite the same on YouTube though! And I believe it was last on around 3/4 years ago, such a good little British Christmas special!
cylon6
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by Boyontbridge:
“The fact is that the BBC is a public service to which we pay and therefore the 'ratings war' that they get embroilled in shouldn't matter. Commercial channels get their revenue streams from advertisers and can charge accordingly but the bbc should not be putting out programmes simply to get the highest viewing figures. It's not what they are there to do”

If the BBC don't make programmes that people watch you will have people moaning about paying a Licence Fee for a channel they don't watch. They can't just have programmes about basket weaving on BBC1 and people would put up with paying for it.
cully83
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by CoolElvis:
“Although you are assuming alternative programming wouldnt attract even more viewers.

Soaps attract many millions of viewers but they have limits. I think that LE shows would attract more. May be not to start with (though quite possibly) but within a few years easily. Soaps have had years to capture their audience. Its time for a change and some mid to long term planning by broadcasters.

I know, i know, never going to happen in this instant gratification society. Doesn't stop me wanting it though.”

You are never going to please everyone. If they were to stop showing the soaps at christmas the millions of viewers that watch them will complain.

It doesn't bother me if they are on or not. I have plenty of other stations to watch or if all else fails I'll watch a movie on my tablet (Thank Goodness for internet and modern technology) lol
argyess
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by jay04:
“with outnumbered being on that late i think it's going to be a repeat episoode like they did with vicar of dibley”

It is supposed to be a new one as far as I'm aware.
lundo
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by argyess:
“It is supposed to be a new one as far as I'm aware.”

For those lightweights who can't handle 1045pm on Christmas Eve, I'm sure it'll be on iplayer
cully83
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by lundo:
“For those lightweights who can't handle 1045pm on Christmas Eve, I'm sure it'll be on iplayer ”

I'm sure I'll still be wrapping gifts at that time lol
argyess
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by cully83:
“I'm sure I'll still be wrapping gifts at that time lol ”

Me too- whilst sipping Santa's glass of whisky (he'll never know will he )
smirf1
05-12-2013
Originally Posted by argyess:
“Me too- whilst sipping Santa's glass of whisky (he'll never know will he )”

.... we like to leave Santa a Baileys and a nice plate of nibbles... he's bored of mince pies by the time he gets to us and much prefers nuts and crisps!!

Generally by 10.45pm i'm sats giggling away after helping santa finish his offerings, at my husband still fighting up whatever the toy of choice is (one year it was a kids carpark with about 200 stickers!!). So it will be quite nice to watch outnumbered - I'm sure it's supposed to be a new one.
The Swampster
05-12-2013
Speaking only for myself, I'm delighted that Downton is on at the same time as EastEnders. I can't stand EastEnders and now I know I won't be missing anything good!
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