The Ratings Thread (Part 56)

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F1Ken

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by iaindb:
“Regarding Christmas Day Strictly:

For many years Strictly was BBC1's alternative to Coronation Street. BBC1 never expected it to win but it was all about keeping up a decent share against the strong point in ITV's schedule. They were aware that the Christmas special wouldn't rate as well as the series did because it wasn't live and the viewers didn't get a vote.

Strictly is now deemed worthy of a Christmas Day slot because
1) it's BBC1's top rated series and
2) {main reason) it's a happy feel-good show, perfect for the festive day.

It's also delivering healthy ratings. Last year's had a final figure of 9.17m. This year's will probably rate a bit lower because the overnights were a bit lower, but should be pretty close to 9m.”

Strictly Deserves a Christmas Special BUT I would rather a Entertainment variety or scetch show on Christmas day instead.

So I would put Strictly on Christmas eve to prop that day up and put a special on The big day.

This is in a dream world of course!

Ken

ftv

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by Brekkie:
“Open all Hours has been off air three decades and is quite fondly remembered. Only Fools and Horses was very fundly remembered until they did their musjudged comeback and now it's remembered for all the wrong reasons. Yes, it would rate well enough but I don't think people would be as eager to watch as some here suggest.

Used to love High Hopes but the time has probably passed for it to get a network airing. The network doesn't seem to air many BBC Wales shows at all compared to BBC Scotland. Bakers Boys for example could easily have filled 9pm for three Sundays rather than some of the factual stuff they've aired their over the last year.

That does look promising.”

Not many BBC Wales shows on the network really

Dr Who
Sherlock
The Indian Doctor
Merlin
Casualty
Torchwood
Crimewatch

yup not many

Digsa

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by NeilVW:
“It could indeed as any catch-up via the TV, including Virgin on Demand, is counted in BARB's consolidated figures. The question is whether it will be fixed soon, and if people manage to catch up (within the seven-day window) with those programmes that they would otherwise have watched in the last couple of days.”

Thanks - that's what I thought. It'll be interesting to see if any general dip is detected, as all BBC content is apparently affected - Dr Who, Pemberly, CTM, Eastenders, etc.
Last edited by Digsa : 27-12-2013 at 16:58

big dan

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“They didn't delay a revamp. They delayed a sacking.....for too long.”

I agree, but I mean if the tale of DTC being waiting in the wings to become available since last August were true, that is just an utter pisstake and should never be made public knowledge as it is beyond embarrassing.

cylon6

27-12-2013

Those are Grimshaw's Strictly comments I should point out. Strictly does well on the day and has earned its place on the day. I think perhaps that it has a big live audience.

Ronant do you have any VOSDAL figures for Christmas Day?

Jules 1

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by ftv:
“Not many BBC Wales shows on the network really

Dr Who
Sherlock
The Indian Doctor
Merlin
Casualty
Torchwood
Crimewatch

yup not many”

But how many of them are Welsh shows, Torchwood has a Welsh flavour, perhaps the Indian doctor, the other have no Welsh feel at all.

cylon6

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by big dan:
“I agree, but I mean if the tale of DTC being waiting in the wings to become available since last August were true, that is just an utter pisstake and should never be made public knowledge as it is beyond embarrassing.”

I know. I'm just saying the story about Newman being given the show while they waited for DTC isn't true. The BBC finally realised EastEnders was doing badly and moved her on. People in the industry know Newman was moved on. It's an open secret.

Don't believe the other story. The BBC made the change earlier this year. I know this to be true.

SamuelW

27-12-2013

Open All Hours definitely should be given a series for next Autumn. Even if it drops in the ratings and ends up averaging 5million in the overnights, that will still be well higher than what most comedies get. BBC1's Autumn lineup for next year is look very strong with the following shows:

- Mrs Browns boys
- The Apprentice
- Strictly Come Dancing
- Doctor Who
- Great British Bake Off
- Open All Hours [possibly]
- Last Tango In Halifax

Only 2 of the above were airing this Autumn. So you can just see how much stronger BBC1 will be in 2014.

NeilVW

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“Those are Grimshaw's Strictly comments I should point out. Strictly does well on the day and has earned its place on the day. I think perhaps that it has a big live audience. ”

Strictly got 7.3m/35%, being up against Paul O'Grady for four-fifths of its runtime, and Tangled for the earliest fifth, and deserves a place on the day.

Call the Midwife got 7.1m/30%, being up against Emmerdale for four-fifths of its runtime, and for the last fifth a news bulletin which rated slightly higher than Emmerdale, and does not deserve a place.

How so?

SamuelW

27-12-2013

Early scheduling announcement: Surprise Surprise airing on Sunday 30th March at 7pm

sn_22

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by James J:
“The ITV soaps are 'furniture, usually on everyday at 7ish' whereas EE needs to be 'thrice a week, appointment to view, don't think about missing it!'. If they both knew their place they'd be happier!”

You've clearly put a lot of thought into the schedule - and I agree your proposed solution would be better for the viewers and the soaps.

I also think the BBC would happily adopt your suggestion. But I don't think ITV would bite - they simply wouldn't have enough strength in the 8pm slots to confine soaps to the 7pm hour exclusively. Their current wraparound strategy - whereby they surround EE all nights other than Tuesday - is currently very effective. They offer a vital lead-in to Monday night dramas, support some strongly performing 'filler' opposite EE, and keep the channel competitive on Thursday and Fridays. It's no coincidence that the one day of the week they currently don't wrap EE (Tuesday) is easily their weakest night of the seven. What you propose gives BBC One free reign on Mondays and Thursdays, and leaves Friday unstable too. Even the potential upside on Sundays is negated by the strength of Countryfile.

In short, I'd love it to happen - but I can't see why ITV would choose to be so bold.

jtnorth

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by iaindb:
“Cabin Pressure, about a tiny, one-plane charter airline, is IMHO the most hilarious radio sitcom of the 21st century and possibly one of the funniest radio comedies ever. I got the complete Series 1 for Christmas.

It stars Stephanie Cole (as seen in Still Open All Hours last night), Benedict Cumberbatch (I kid you not), Roger Allam (some may know him from The Thick Of It. He does sarcasm brilliantly!) and John Finnemore who also wrote the scripts. If they can't adapt Cabin Pressure for BBC1, they should at least commission some sitcom off Finnemore. He's a talent that should be used to the full.”

Yes! I don't know if Cabin Pressure would work as TV itself, but agree it's excellent - and gets better with every series, imo - and it baffles me why John Finnemore isn't writing for TV (as far as I know he isn't anyway). I'd love to see him get a chance as Cabin Pressure has the kind of character-based well structured comedy there isn't enough of at the moment, imo.

Also agree (sorry don't know how to quote more than one person) that The Baker Boys would have been a great show to have broadcast to the whole UK. Thinking of Welsh settings, I'm really unsure how 'Hinterland' will do when it starts in January. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the UK take the barren mid-Wales feel of it. I've watched it all in Welsh with subtitles and I loved it, but the main character is a bit of a miserable so-and-so (though the actor's very good).

big dan

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“I know. I'm just saying the story about Newman being given the show while they waited for DTC isn't true. The BBC finally realised EastEnders was doing badly and moved her on. People in the industry know Newman was moved on. It's an open secret.

Don't believe the other story. The BBC made the change earlier this year. I know this to be true.”

Ah I see, thanks. Like I say, I did find the other story a bit too er, completely nonsensical to be true

NeilVW

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by jtnorth:
“Also agree (sorry don't know how to quote more than one person) ...”

Click the button to the right of the Quote button (Multi-Quote) for each post you wish to quote and then hit Add Reply.

jtnorth

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by NeilVW:
“Click the button to the right of the Quote button (Multi-Quote) for each post you wish to quote and then hit Add Reply.”

Thank you!

ronant

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“Ronant do you have any VOSDAL figures for Christmas Day?”

Wish I did but I'm afraid not.

xeo

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by sn_22:
“You've clearly put a lot of thought into the schedule - and I agree your proposed solution would be better for the viewers and the soaps.

I also think the BBC would happily adopt your suggestion. But I don't think ITV would bite - they simply wouldn't have enough strength in the 8pm slots to confine soaps to the 7pm hour exclusively. Their current wraparound strategy - whereby they surround EE all nights other than Tuesday - is currently very effective. They offer a vital lead-in to Monday night dramas, support some strongly performing 'filler' opposite EE, and keep the channel competitive on Thursday and Fridays. It's no coincidence that the one day of the week they currently don't wrap EE (Tuesday) is easily their weakest night of the seven. What you propose gives BBC One free reign on Mondays and Thursdays, and leaves Friday unstable too. Even the potential upside on Sundays is negated by the strength of Countryfile.

In short, I'd love it to happen - but I can't see why ITV would choose to be so bold.”

I agree. ITV would love Corrie on five nights a week but as long as EastEnders is on after it it's not going to happen. The 8:30pm episode gets the audience back to ITV ready for the 9pm offering.

JordyD

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by SamuelW:
“Early scheduling announcement: Surprise Surprise airing on Sunday 30th March at 7pm”

Oh no. Not again, it's only just finished.

SamuelW

27-12-2013

Britain's favourite contemporary medical drama Casualty has a new theme tune: https://audioboo.fm/boos/1810828-cas...-opening-theme

cylon6

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by big dan:
“Ah I see, thanks. Like I say, I did find the other story a bit too er, completely nonsensical to be true”

Keeping Lorraine Newman on as EastEnders producer for an extra few months to lower cast morale, not be able to pace episodes or inspire a room full of writers was not part of a BBC plan. They saw ratings were bad and moved her on.

Notice how the people working on EastEnders, and who are on Twitter, seem happier about the show? I have spoken to a couple of people that visited the set and they say the gloom has lifted. Actors are happier with scripts and plans for the future.

The story about Newman being kept on while DTC worked out his contract is not true.

cylon6

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by SamuelW:
“Britain's favourite contemporary medical drama Casualty has a new theme tune: https://audioboo.fm/boos/1810828-cas...-opening-theme”

And it's awful.

Casualty's problems are that it is on too often. It is wallpaper.

Glenn A

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by cylon6:
“Keeping Lorraine Newman on as EastEnders producer for an extra few months to lower cast morale, not be able to pace episodes or inspire a room full of writers was not part of a BBC plan. They saw ratings were bad and moved her on.

Notice how the people working on EastEnders, and who are on Twitter, seem happier about the show? I have spoken to a couple of people that visited the set and they say the gloom has lifted. Actors are happier with scripts and plans for the future.

The story about Newman being kept on while DTC worked out his contract is not true.”

I saw an episode in August and it was mockney teenagers pratting about in Essex, it was like a bad version of Hollyoaks, then I watched the Christmas special and found the storyline a lot harder and darker, which is what the viewers expect. I do think EE is heading for a revival as people like it mean and moody with a few comedy interludes.

H of De Vil

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by JordyD:
“Oh no. Not again, it's only just finished.”

Until he provides a source, don't believe it. If it true then that's three months away, its not like its airing directly in January.

H of De Vil

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by SamuelW:
“Britain's favourite contemporary medical drama Casualty has a new theme tune: https://audioboo.fm/boos/1810828-cas...-opening-theme”

Or Casualty has a new theme tune. Everything is spin.

cylon6

27-12-2013

Originally Posted by Glenn A:
“I saw an episode in August and it was mockney teenagers pratting about in Essex, it was like a bad version of Hollyoaks, then I watched the Christmas special and found the storyline a lot harder and darker, which is what the viewers expect. I do think EE is heading for a revival as people like it mean and moody with a few comedy interludes.”

EastEnders is much better now than it was earlier in the year. The quality has improved but ratings haven't. Many viewers have been lost due to how bad it has been for several years. They have tuned out gradually over that time. It is still capable of getting a big rating but it won't happen overnight.

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