But EE is "on fire" now..best thing on British TV?? No cliches or recycled, predictable claptrap anywhere to be seen. It is now a resounding example of intelligent, gripping drama which doesn't use unimaginative surprises or halfbaked crowd pleasers (crowd pleasers at this stage being almost anything to let EE fans old and new feel like all is well again, even when the general theme is garbage. Things look awfully good after being at rock bottom for many years).

Or alternatively schedule DW in the best slot for it and ignore what ITV do?

No chance, BBC1 really is full of Samuels. You can see by their actions on certain things.

What do you mean by that?

Intent on the destruction of the ITV deathstar.

Tumble may rate well opposite The X Factor.

In your dreams.

I can't see it as they're a similar style of show - light entertainment based on a skill with a public phone vote (albeit The X Factor won't have a phone vote until October).

I think it's more likely that BBC One will line up Doctor Who opposite The X Factor as, even if it struggles slightly, it timeshifts very well.

They put Doctor who up against it last year, and won. Granted it was a special episode, but I reckon it could still get 5m+, with an additional 2m (or maybe even 3 now) for time shifters.

ITV confirmed at the end of their football coverage that they'll be showing the Wednesday semi-final which means BBC One will broadcast Germany v Brazil on Tuesday night.

I'm probably about 24 hours late with this news.

Therefore (according to The Times' TV section):


On another note, it appears as though the use of 'ITV1' is creeping back into use for the Tour de France. The channel was constantly referred to that when instructing viewers to switch to ITV4 and I think Adrian Chiles also said that the cycling was on 'ITV1 and ITV4' at the end of the football coverage.

I have a feeling that Tumble will begin on August 23rd - the same day as Doctor Who.

We could be looking at this as a schedule:

6.30 Doctor Who
7.45 Tumble
8.45 Casualty
9.35 The Lottery Draws
9.45 Mrs. Brown's Boys
10.15 BBC News
10.30 Match of the Day

I think Tumble might be longer than an hour but might be kept away from The X Factor. I'd probably go with

5.40 Pointless
6.25 Tumble
7.55 Doctor Who
9.10 Casualty
10.00 National Lottery Draws
10.10 BBC News and Weather
10.30 Match of the Day

ITV will probably go with something like:

6.00 Regional News and Weather
6.15 ITV News and Weather
6.30 You've Been Framed
7.00 Celebrity Chase
8.00 The X Factor
9.15 Through the Keyhole
10.15 The Jonathan Ross Show

I like your schedule. But I do think that Doctor Who will be the lead in for Tumble because the BBC are hoping it will be a returning format. Btw, in this week's Radio Times, Richard Osman revealed that the BBC is working on another Generation Game revival.

Yes, for me, Dr Who has to be starting nearer 8 than 6. Its a landmark episode and the Beeb will want to ease its path as much as possible given the potential for good weather in August. Tumble wouldn't benefit much anyway later if the lead in from Who is on the low side.

Miranda Hart confirmed she is the host a few months back.

Pointless will make a better lead in to Tumble then Doctor Who since the latter is usually time shift viewers.

But I think pulling it away from opposition will give it more chance than firing it up against The X Factor potentially buoyed by the return of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole - even if it is early. And, as hyperstarsponge says...

Wonder how low ITV will go tonight?
Is Midsomer Murders anyone would want to watch on a saturday night LOL

Something to bear in mind with Tuesdays rating for Eastenders. According to the BBC website Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are airing it at 1930, England at 2000
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0499fsh
EDIT - The Guardian's online listings has EE airing at 2000 nationwide

Not much better Sunday with Despicable me taking 2 hours of primetime followed by The Nations Favourite Mowtown Song! Should be an easy walkover for the BBC.

Great news for the BBC: Netherlands v Costa Rica is going to extra time. So expect the ratings for it to get a nice bump up as extra time will certainly rate very well and boost the shares significantly. Perfect situation for the Beeb would be Costa Rica to win on penalties so that Itvs semi final rates underwhelmingly compared to the Beeb's semi of Germany v Brazil.

In theory, Holland v Costa Rica should not rate better than Brazil v Colombia due to it having smaller countries on paper. However due to superior weekly reach and extra time, the BBC may be able to pull it off.

No way. Putting Tumble opposite The X Factor would kill the show before it began.

Anyone have the BB +1 ratings?

As for the match, great news for the BBC that it seems like it will go to penalties...

This game is just something else. Huge peak tomorrow I expect.