Yes, but that's not really my point, the suggestion was that it was "embarrassing" for Hollyoaks to get fewer viewers than Doctors, but lots of things get lower ratings than Doctors because it's in a cushy slot in the daytime schedules and has virtually no competition. As this week's Broadcast points out, the One O'Clock News last Wednesday got 3.89 million viewers, a 44.7% share, which is a higher rating than every News at Ten, plus Blandings, Room 101, Take Me Out, Waterloo Road and many more prime time programmes.

Yes, Hollyoaks could probably get higher ratings than it does, but the audience is presumably split between C4 and E4. But Doctors is a hugely successful show in its timeslot.


But BBC2 technically doesn't have any daytime programmes, it has no budget for that, so daytime BBC2 is basically a "spare" channel, hence why when there's no sport it's just repeats. Therefore it's obvious all sport goes on BBC2.

If you were to put the Winter Olympics on BBC1, you'd have to move all the regular BBC1 stuff to BBC2, presumably, which would just annoy all the regular viewers of those programmes. And it's never going to be on primetime BBC1, however well we're doing, so they may as well keep them all on BBC2 except for exceptional circumstances, rather than have some of them on BBC1 and having to go off for the news and that.

Anyway, Broadcast has had some interesting stuff in recent weeks, here's some from this week...
* The big news seems to be that BBC1 has commssioned a ten-part musical drama for which they have the rights to use the entire Motown back catalogue. It's not going to be about Motown, it's going to be a Mamma Mia-type thing, but it looks like it's going to be quite ambitious, Tony Jordan has created it and he says it's going to have huge dance routines in and stuff.
* But Jordan's other BBC1 commission, by total contrast, is an anthology of studio-based one-act plays.
* Sky One is developing a ten-part drama on the Italian comic book Diabolik, which is a co-production between Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland.
* Sky One are also showing a new talent show which "will search for talented individuals with a passion for food, film, music and photography" which is backed by Samsung, with Idris Elba, Rankin and Paloma Faith among the judges
* Tom Rob Smith, the author of the novel Child 44, is writing his first TV series, a spy thriller for BBC2.
* And Channel Four have commissioned a series called Cooks' Question Time with Sue Perkins, which is going to be, well, Question Time but about cooking. That's a working title, though. Seems a better bet than The Taste, you'd have to say.

They aren't contractually obliged to show the Europa League on ITV, they opt to themselves as football on the main channel is much more than the overall rating.

They are obviously showing football on the main channel, with the resulting rare demographic watching, while they still can. The usual drama or factual Thursday series can be saved and shown anytime.

Good to see both Benidorm and Birds of a Feather on about 7m. Quite good for comedies that have been described as flops by some. Both will be back next year.

Excellent rise for Benidorm, deserved the final rating for the final ep, twas good. Shame Birds didn't drive over 7million but I suspect the rpt on Sunday affects the 1st showing.

I am extremely hopeful of EE's ratings resurgence. 7m+ for an Emmerdale clash episode is very good. It even tied Emmerdale during the head-to-head, something that has not happened in many episodes. It is a signal that viewers are returning to the show and it is closing the gap on Coro which is currently facing an editorial crisis. The Lucy Beale storyline, if trailed correctly, could blow up interest in Eastenders. The aftermath and what-done-it aspect of the storyline will potentially grip the nation for the climax on Xmas Day of 2014. This is a very well thought out storyline by Treadwell Collins who was a major force behind the 16million rated EE episode of a few years ago. The EE ratings resurgence is currently happening and all signs are positive as we head into late February.

What happened to the ITV Breakfast host announcement then this week as well?

More like February 2015. This has been stated by the BBC/DTC

The storyline has already shocked people because it's such a bold move. It's one hell of a risk to kill off such and important character to the only Original family in the show.
It's a storyline I for one didn't see coming.
Peoples opinions are mixed and myself I am annoyed but happy.


Regarding EastEnders VS Emmerdale.
There is a clash next week on Tuesday (half hour) and Thursday (15mins) but EastEnders has a massive week planned.

Back last year the BBC gave it a 4:30pm slot but then it ran late and actually started at 4:45pm and still ended up rating pretty much the same.

Doctors has a fairly loyal Fanbase and at times when it's moved slots the ratings have held well (It's aired 11:30,12:30,2:35 and 4:45 in the last 5 years or so)

Thank you. This is why Eastenders is important to the vieiwng nation. They deal with gritty, hard hitting storylines which other soaps sometimes ignore. They dont fake a faux-happy community where everyone is so happy and cheerful, the show represents the realities of life. And the show appeals to a broad age range of the viewing public, not just older members. EE is on its way back up. Its Tuesday episode actually rated only 0.1million lower than Coro's Wednesday episode!

Thanks DMN.

Benidorm had a high profile guest star in Joan Collins that they plugged vs lot. No surprise the rating went up. Good to see Birds Of A Feather and George Gently do well too.

I thought some news bulletins got 7m or was that the previous week?

The half hour Tuesday clash is the week after (the first week in March), as is your spoiler, next week just has the 15 minute Thursday clash and focuses on

So quite 'niche' then - should be looking at low ratings for this storyine then. The mass viewing public don't like gritty, dark, plots.

Nope.
Just funny how some of soaps biggest rated episodes have been Dark,depressing and Gritty. Most of EastEnders big ones have been.

Mo's Rape
Phil Being shot
Ronnie steals Baby & Aftermath Months later despite complaints

Just a few to name.


A week ahead of myself

That's the week I meant though

I think he was joking

I know that.
I could clearly see that

Which soap only appeals to older members of the viewing public then? I've never seen demographic breakdowns here with 100% over 65s for a soap.

Can see Takeaway doing well on Saturday with a big +1.

ITV4 to air animated family sitcom ahead of World Cup

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/...#ixzz2tzeRrhpB
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook

This is a good move, could do well.

Edge of Heaven is going to be a huge ratings flop, particularly from next week onwards. The feedback it has had so far is really bad.

Ant & Dec: 'We'd love to be involved in kids' TV again'

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/...#ixzz2tzfZbtSh
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook


It says they've been in talks with ITV to return to kids TV, something like SM:TV live

Most programmes take while to get into, however there aren't many laughs so far so it could drop to Citizen Kan levels f its not careful - will flop against Jonathon Creek.

There's a reason why ITV ditched it on Friday nights.

I think Saturday Night Takeaway will win with +1 but lose without it. Nightmare!

It's not terrible imo, just a bit of a bland by the numbers comedy that lacks some proper laughs. Could be worse but could have been a hell of a lot better.

Be fascinating to see how the rugby performs tonight on BBC1. Normally Friday night games not featuring England would be put on BBC2.

On another rugby note, I wonder if ITV will try and get the next 6 nations contract after losing most their football rights. Rugby demos are sensational in terms of what advertisers want.