Originally Posted by aberdaberdonian:
“Agree wholeheartedly with this.
If there is such a thing as a default BBC audience, then that only reflects the effort that BBC1 has put in over the years into their schedule. Sadly as ITV has focused less and less on the edges of its schedule (for what may be for financially sound plc reasons), it has started to become a vicious circle where ITV schedules 'filler' so less viewers tune in, so ITV schedules cheaper filler, so less viewers choose to tune in...so ITV looks for even cheaper filler, etc....... and in the process, make the chance of ever being able to regain ground almost impossible and pretty much dooms any new programmes they launch in these slots to dismal ratings.”
I think the rot set in at ITV when Adam Crozier took over as chief executive of ITV plc, before ITV was focused on programmes and ratings, and filling a full schedule. It had fewer repeats, and went all out to compete with BBC1.
Adam Crozier changed the focus to "profit" only, yes you can get profit by big ratings, but you can get profit from cheap shows with fewer viewers, or recycle shows.
ITV has generally given up past News at Ten and shows like Johnathan Ross repeated.
It has relied more and more on a few big hitters that bring in the viewers through the turnstiles, BGT, XF and IACGMOOH, with habit and cheap programmes of Soaps.
So far supplemented with Sport.
So shows are worked harder by repeating a lot, we have shows that run competitions, and telephone votes, and cheap filler.
The days of Entertainment blockbusters from Thames TV and LWT have long gone. I do not think they were bothered by loosing the FA cup as the cost Vs Viewers Vs Profit was too low.
ITV had a "habit" default viewers, in the past, due to its soaps, but there ailing now so many viewers have drifted. I think ITV has lost its viewers to Multi channel more than the BBC.
If BBC1 has a default audience its from a strong schedule from Breakfast to the BBC News at Ten, in between each show it can plug its own shows. So two million people in daytime see trailers for BBC1 Primetime.
This is BBC "Genes" all you have to do is look at Radio One, its always had a view, get it right at Breakfast, and plug the rest of the day and the listeners stick with you. The R1 Breakfast show has always been the most important one of the day.
ITV Have GMB that handicaps it from first thing, then shows in daytime getting low ratings smash up continuity.
Dammit, I'll start writing it's obituary now.
