Thanks, just corrected. No, they won't dictate it. And thinking about it, whether it's 14:00 or 15:00 won't make a huge difference. It'll be appointment to view for fans.

Here's an idea, can't they just skip the freaking lottery quizzes?

I assume they will see how Atlantis does before truly deciding?

I suppose it makes sense to drop one newer, smaller fantasy drama for one week in favour of the older, bigger and special episode drama, but it just seems risky. Of course if Atlantis is successful and good enough it might not matter...

It'll be a 10-minute lottery show that night for sure. In fact I think someone on here said when Break the Safe ends there'll be no more lottery quizzes until the New Year.

If Atlantis starts on 28th September and finishes on Christmas Eve (or December 28th) then it could miss a week. If it starts on October 4th then it is unlikely to miss a week. But, if they start it mid-October to continue into January, again it could miss a week. I think it will start on the 28th September and I don't think it will miss a week. And, this coming Saturday sees the final Lottery Quiz show of the year. It's all ten or fifteen minute draw only shows until Christmas.

As for 23rd November, it is possible that "Magic Saturday" could be a massive day for BBC1. By having a massive Tennant Doctor Who story could actually benefit Atlantis a great deal. Perhaps this:

6.20 Strictly Come Dancing
7.30 Doctor Who
8.45 Atlantis
9.30 Live From The Apollo
10.00 The National Lottery Draws

By having DW start at 7.30, it capitalises on SCD audience and would likely have a head start on XF. But, this particular schedule will not be confirmed until the latest of the latest moment in order to prevent ITV from being too spoilery!

Merlin did go out as late as 8.50 on occasion. The BBC1 Autumn schedule is geared around SCD and its fantasy drama. Everything else gets sidelined.

Excellent for Corrie last night. Over 9m excluding +1.

So in that case can't it be something like, Strictly 6pm - 7.20, Doctor Who 7.20 - 8.35, quick lottery, then Atlantis 8.45 until 9.30...hmm no probably not! Obviously this scheduling business takes a lot of thought

I do think it seems a waste though not to have Doctor Who leading into Atlantis, especially if the latter is struggling (if), as it could gain a chunk of new viewers that way. Seems the removal of Atlantis is looking most likely though....

Okay maybe my idea wasn't so bad after all as you've kind of said the same things! I assumed people would think Atlantis starting at 8.45 would be too late, but if Merlin did it once, and as it's only for a week, there should be no issue, aside from starting well into X Factor's timeslot - which would be countered by having a presumably similar audience of Doctor Who leading into it.

Plus having two sci-fi fantasy dramas back to back would just be fantastic for once.

People tend to regard Saturday as the big family audience night! Timings are less important on Saturday because the biggest shows are what gives the channels a captive audience. If viewers are liking Atlantis and its start time ranges from 8-8.30 (in the early stages of SCD this is the norm), then starting it at 8.45 is not going to be an issue. It would for me, be a brilliant nights telly. Casualty is much more flexible to move than anything else. Merlin started around 8.15-8.45 on a fair few occasions over the last couple of years. Instead of harming the show, the later start enhanced it.

If Doctor Who is definitely being simulcasted, then it will either start on the hour or half past the hour. Little chance of BBC manoeuvring on that night to satisfy ITV.

Which is why they won't reveal the schedule until the very latest time possible.

You're too kind.

Didn't World of Sport bear an uncanny resemblance to Grandstand George (except it didn't have any sport worth talking about) ?

Are you sure? I can't remember Merlin starting later than 8:20.

I think implying the BBC don't copy is only asking for trouble, there being very little originality on the BBC these days.

ITV, of course, have no requirement for originality or innovation. Just making money is their game.

Yep, it would be great indeed. I'm not a fan of Who but want to like Atlantis and hope it'll be worth it. If it's decent and holds up that will be an astonishing line-up for BBC1.

Whatever the scheduling, it's hard to see X Factor not taking a severe knock for that one Saturday (for which most excuses will be valid!).

I think this is the most likely schedule, all would benefit from it, Strictly would ensure DW starts with a high audience instead of having to build over the 75 minutes, and DW can help boost Atlantis if hasn't done as well as expected.

Btw, I'm really not looking forward to any high rating being credited to Tennant alone, I think there's enough interest in the 50th for it to have secured a high rating without him, although I admit his presence will probably send it even higher.

indeed the BBC used to get £4bn cheque every year to be creative. Some folks here dont understand the differing obligations between a public body and a private company. And if they are under 30 why would they now?

Atlantis is one program that I would be happy to promote on Saturday night if its a good family show, If I enjoy that show I will even discuss it on Twitter

Atlantis is likely to be a damn good romp. As long as those viewers who watch don't make comparisons to actual greek Mythology it'll do well, because it is only based on the myths and does not replicate the myths!

Lol Twitter I could never get on with that

It's a big Doctor Who 50th story too. Those ratings won't just be for Tennant. I like Tennant but this is going to a a big celebration to say ratings are all going to be about his return won't be accurate in my opinion.

Does anybody know what Wolfblood got yesterday?

I think people under estimate just how big a draw Tennant was as The Doctor. It is a big celebration I'm not disputing that. But while the show will stand up on its own feet, the inclusion of Tennant and Billie Piper will ultimately increase ratings, in a way Matt wasn't ever able to do. To say otherwise is, I'm sorry to say, a little blinkered.

I'd agree with this. Tennant's profile post-Broadchurch is massive - and it's hard to imagine how this won't help boost the ratings.

BBC1
3040
3998
4703
6191
8274
8643
9082
9127
6632
3343
3472
3639
4229
4011
3551
3998

ITV
1561
1631
1572
1847
1995
2117
2155
2451
5552
7036
7468
7488
4145
3708
3605
3543

ITV HD
96
143
190
150
142
151
179
234
907
1099
1124
1091
583
491
483
502

The latest Merlin has gone out on BBC One is 20:28 (13 October 2012).

Source: Overnights.tv Programme Search