The Ratings Thread (Part 67)

9 of 473

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Andy23:
“Why should Beowulf damage Vera? If I wanted to watch a 2 hour drama, I'd tune in when it starts at 8pm. I didn't know I had to watch the preceding programme to be allowed to do so? This lead in business is quite ridiculous, it's almost like you don't have to make a good programme, you need to make a good programme before and after it.

If you consider that the 1.5m who are watching Beowulf are viewers who don't watch ITV often, and don't watch the usual ITV dramas, what would pulling it mid run do to those viewers? It means they'd disappear and not consider ITV next time they do a drama that is different from the norm. So you'd be back to square one.

Shoving on a repeat of Celebrity Chase might increase ratings by a million max, but it's not worth alienating those viewers, and they'd still be 6m behind BBC1.”

As ian said. Lead in's aid a programme, especially on ITV when they're in a weak position.

Score

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“Jonathon Ross was 2.27m inc+1.”

Yes. Just as dire as last year. At least it hasn't dropped any lower I suppose.

His show is on too early. Next year I think ITV should launch a new 6x60' entertainment show inbetween Ninja Warrior and Take Me Out. Something loud, brash and funny enough to work inbetween those two. They could then go:

18:45- Ninja Warrior UK, 19:45- New Series, 20:45- Take Me Out, 22:00- Jonathan Ross

Means Ross could go on at a more suitable time and TMO can still start before 9pm without having Ninja Warrior going too early. Ideally they'd have Celeb Chase or Catchphrase at 5.45pm before Ninja Warrior rather than YBF but that's probably a step too far!

Sundays would then depend on how confident they are in The Voice. They could either go:

18:30- The Voice, 20:00- Vera/Endeavour

If they aren't particularly confident. 90 minute episodes in a slot where they'd be a vast improvement on right now without dominating the evening with the safe crime dramas at 8pm. Or if they're more confident:

19:00- The Voice, 21:00- New Drama

With a longer Voice anchoring the evening and providing a lead-in for a new drama. Although they couldn't sustain 7 blind audition shows at 2 hours each without either a lot of filler or doing a lot more filming. They could potentially start those at 7.30pm with something like All Star Family Fortunes going on before at 6.45pm. Ideally they'd have something like ASFF on at 6.15pm even if they do two hour Voice episodes just to give some sort of lead-in. Again, probably a step too far for ITV!

Fudd

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“Fudd, we've had two full weeks of data from BARB for 2016. In those two weeks ITV's share is up 6% on the same two weeks in 2015. In comparison, Channel 4 is up 3%, BBC1 down 2%, BBC2 down 4% and Channel 5 down 9%. Clearly something has gone right for them. Certainly looks like they are starting to come out of "this funk". Although obviously that's only 2 weeks of data and there's a long year ahead but it's promising and it is difficult to imagine BBC1 putting together a schedule as strong as their current one for the rest of the year (it tends to fizzle a bit from February/March although Happy Valley should help this year).

Saturday is up, Sunday is probably even overall (although will be up from next week onwards as they introduced the ASFF/Mr S lineup), Monday is down, Tuesday is down, Wednesday is up, Thursday is up, Friday is down.

So even or slightly up in primetime. Daytime is presumably up in that case. Having said that, total audiences are probably down (I suspect why their share is up as much as 6%), so being even is the new up, as has been the case for everyone for a while now. It's interesting as they've not had much luck with the new shows so far, but have done well with returning shows as Midsomer, Birds and Take Me Out are up whilst Endeavour and Benidorm have held up well in tougher slots. Ninja Warrior is a big improvement on Stars in Their Eyes.

The problems have been the new shows. Although Beowulf was probably the toughest sell of all their new dramas this year. Jericho probably wasn't far behind and the slot killed it. You'd think stuff like Victoria and The Durrells will be an easier sell but we'll have to wait and see I guess.”

Thanks for this is Score.

ITV may be up 6% share but, as you say, this is down to the reliable shows. A Midsomer Murders repeat in week two last year pulled in a share of 13.8% excluding +1; a new episode claimed a share of 23.5%. Ninja Warrior's share at the weekend was 21% including +1, compared to Star In Their Eye's 11% for the same slot. Birds of a Feather is up from 12.3% to 20% though, thinking belatedly about it, I think it may have been up against an EastEnders episode last year. Endeavour pulled in a share of 17% excluding +1 compared to Foyle's War 14.2%... obviously the 7pm hour was higher last year (I didn't think I'd be saying that this time last year!)

I have to wonder why ITV scheduled Jericho especially where they did. It would have had a better chance against Shetland and the football on Friday's with a Coronation Street lead in, leaving a departing Mr. Selfridge to be butched by Death in Paradise but instead... Beowulf is harder to place. I think they need to think about switching it to 6pm at the very least and bringing in Chase or Mr. and Mrs. repeats to see the period out - Jekyll and Hyde had to be thrown around the schedule before it went that low.

I just hope the failures don't stop them taking risks - both them and BBC One who have had issues with the fantasy genre as well. The question I suppose is where does British TV in general go from here?

Spoiler

sn_22

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“But basically, looking at the figures for the most part, it's a case of more money spent for scant reward. Truthfully, have ITV made more money out of Quarter One this year than last considering the relatively cheap Get Your Act Together/All Star Family Fortunes rated higher than the expensive Beowulf and the cheap Bring Back Borstal was only a million down on the more expensive Jericho? Though the latter seems to have helped Birds of a Feather to an extent. Midsomer Murders is performing very well on Wednesday's but what will the channel air in it's usual slot? They can't keep airing two hour dramas on Sunday and Wednesday forever more.

I can't see how ITV are going to come out of this funk. BBC One are just stronger in all departments, except maybe light entertainment and even then they have Pointless doing a job. They really need to work on new dramas which appeal to the masses because certainly their first three big attempts - Jekyll & Hyde, Beowulf and Jericho - do not. Is it going to be a case that their drama department will retreat to the safety of crime and period again?”

A very interesting and sound piece of analysis, I think. It's been a mediocre start to the year. Not terrible, but they may have hoped for more given the investment. They can take some comfort from some solid returns for staples like Birds and MM - but as you say, the failure of the dramas will be particularly painful. Speaking personally, I didn't make it past the first episodes of either. Not because they were terrible - but just because they felt a bit designed by committee. I guess all you can say is that ITV just have to plug away at it. They've plenty going for them to be able to afford to take lots more swings, and sometimes it only takes one hit show to transform a night for a whole season: just look at what Call the Midwife did to BBC One's Q1 Sundays.

Of course, the other saving grace is that BBC One's efforts will fade as time passes. I'm sure we'll be seeing those New Tricks repeats and soft consumer factual fillers sneaking into the weekday schedules before Spring has sprung. Not entirely sure why BBC One have been quite so intent on stacking January over the past few years, but it delivers very impressive results for a time. That said, they do have a slightly stronger 'bench' of drama ready to take over the slots this year (particularly Happy Valley & The Night Manager), so perhaps they can sustain a little better into February and March.

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“Yes. Just as dire as last year. At least it hasn't dropped any lower I suppose.

His show is on too early. Next year I think ITV should launch a new 6x60' entertainment show inbetween Ninja Warrior and Take Me Out. Something loud, brash and funny enough to work inbetween those two. They could then go:

18:45- Ninja Warrior UK, 19:45- New Series, 20:45- Take Me Out, 22:00- Jonathan Ross

Means Ross could go on at a more suitable time and TMO can still start before 9pm without having Ninja Warrior going too early. Ideally they'd have Celeb Chase or Catchphrase at 5.45pm before Ninja Warrior rather than YBF but that's probably a step too far!

Sundays would then depend on how confident they are in The Voice. They could either go:

18:30- The Voice, 20:00- Vera/Endeavour

If they aren't particularly confident. 90 minute episodes in a slot where they'd be a vast improvement on right now without dominating the evening with the safe crime dramas at 8pm. Or if they're more confident:

19:00- The Voice, 21:00- New Drama

With a longer Voice anchoring the evening and providing a lead-in for a new drama. Although they couldn't sustain 7 blind audition shows at 2 hours each without either a lot of filler or doing a lot more filming. They could potentially start those at 7.30pm with something like All Star Family Fortunes going on before at 6.45pm. Ideally they'd have something like ASFF on at 6.15pm even if they do two hour Voice episodes just to give some sort of lead-in. Again, probably a step too far for ITV!”

With The Voice, they need to ensure this is not another singing show dominating the night, like TXF does and now its weakening, they've got nothing to replace it with.

The Voice shoud be on the outskirts of primetime, not in the cemtre at 7.30pm or 8pm. So I like your idea of Sunday at 6.30pm. I like your Saturday schedule as well. Ninja Warrior UK is doing fab against TVUK. So they've found something that can do well against BBC1.

The ideal Sunday schedule is to build up the evening, so I would do:

5.15pm ITV news
5.45pm Catchphrase (since it does fairly well in the early evening)
6.30pm The Voice UK
8pm Vera

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by sn_22:
“A very interesting and sound piece of analysis, I think. It's been a mediocre start to the year. Not terrible, but they may have hoped for more given the investment. They can take some comfort from some solid returns for staples like Birds and MM - but as you say, the failure of the dramas will be particularly painful. Speaking personally, I didn't make it past the first episodes of either. Not because they were terrible - but just because they felt a bit designed by committee. I guess all you can say is that ITV just have to plug away at it. They've plenty going for them to be able to afford to take lots more swings, and sometimes it only takes one hit show to transform a night for a whole season: just look at what Call the Midwife did to BBC One's Q1 Sundays.

Of course, the other saving grace is that BBC One's efforts will fade as time passes. I'm sure we'll be seeing those New Tricks repeats and soft consumer factual fillers sneaking into the weekday schedules before Spring has sprung. Not entirely sure why BBC One have been quite so intent on stacking January over the past few years, but it delivers very impressive results for a time. That said, they do have a slightly stronger 'bench' of drama ready to take over the slots this year (particularly Happy Valley & The Night Manager), so perhaps they can sustain a little better into February and March.”

Probably because it creates a good positive feeling around BBC1 for the rest of the year. Start as you mean to go on as they say. If you start poorly, you'll end poorly, as ITV showed last year.

Score

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“Thanks for this is Score.

ITV may be up 6% share but, as you say, this is down to the reliable shows. A Midsomer Murders repeat in week two last year pulled in a share of 13.8% excluding +1; a new episode claimed a share of 23.5%. Ninja Warrior's share at the weekend was 21% including +1, compared to Star In Their Eye's 11% for the same slot. Birds of a Feather is up from 12.3% to 20% though, thinking belatedly about it, I think it may have been up against an EastEnders episode last year. Endeavour pulled in a share of 17% excluding +1 compared to Foyle's War 14.2%... obviously the 7pm hour was higher last year (I didn't think I'd be saying that this time last year!)

I have to wonder why ITV scheduled Jericho especially where they did. It would have had a better chance against Shetland and the football on Friday's with a Coronation Street lead in, leaving a departing Mr. Selfridge to be butched by Death in Paradise but instead... Beowulf is harder to place. I think they need to think about switching it to 6pm at the very least and bringing in Chase or Mr. and Mrs. repeats to see the period out - Jekyll and Hyde had to be thrown around the schedule before it went that low.

I just hope the failures don't stop them taking risks - both them and BBC One who have had issues with the fantasy genre as well. The question I suppose is where does British TV in general go from here?

Spoiler

The annoying thing is both Beowulf and Jekyll & Hyde had potential but the execution was atrocious on both for different reasons.

”

I think the fantasy genre is a real problem. So many attempts have gone pear shaped now I'm surprised ITV or BBC1 are even interested any more. I'm sure BBC1 at least will keep plugging away. ITV might leave it a while longer after getting their fingers particularly badly burnt.

There's nothing wrong with returning shows holding up. If anything they'll be relieved. Midsomer and Birds both looked a bit shaky last year whilst Endeavour and Ninja Warrior have improved on last year's offerings so they'll be pleased there.

I think they might have hoped for more and there have been disappointments. I'm sure the Tuesday flops came as no surprise and I doubt they expected anything more from Mr Selfridge but Jericho will be the most painful one I think. I'd question the scheduling as well. That's something only they can answer. Beowulf's ratings are a fair bit worse but after J&H they may well have seen it coming. They certainly seemed to tone down the promotion compared to what J&H got. Jericho they may have had higher expectations of so I suspect that is the biggest disappointment. Yes it's an improvement on last year but that isn't really good enough!

It'll be interesting to see where things stand come March when both BBC1 and ITV will have different schedules. Presumably both will have less drama (which makes the scheduling of Jericho and Shetland seem annoying). I assume ITV's 9pm slots will have a mix of Grantchester, Scott & Bailey, Doctor Thorne, Dark Angel and Maigret. So a lot of shorter run drama but probably safer bets. Mission Survive will probably be back around then as well. Not sure if they'll go for Fridays again or try it elsewhere. Saturdays will be Takeaway and You're Back in The Room. It all looks solid enough but you do wish they had that one show that could do really big numbers. I know BGT is back in the Spring but it's 10 years old now, they need to find the new hits.

Not sure what BBC1 will have. Happy Valley and The Night Manager will take 9pm slots but I suspect there will be more factual than at present.

stv viewer

25-01-2016

BGT might be 10 years old but it should still pull in 9/10 million viewers

Fudd

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“I think the fantasy genre is a real problem. So many attempts have gone pear shaped now I'm surprised ITV or BBC1 are even interested any more. I'm sure BBC1 at least will keep plugging away. ITV might leave it a while longer after getting their fingers particularly badly burnt.

There's nothing wrong with returning shows holding up. If anything they'll be relieved. Midsomer and Birds both looked a bit shaky last year whilst Endeavour and Ninja Warrior have improved on last year's offerings so they'll be pleased there.

I think they might have hoped for more and there have been disappointments. I'm sure the Tuesday flops came as no surprise and I doubt they expected anything more from Mr Selfridge but Jericho will be the most painful one I think. I'd question the scheduling as well. That's something only they can answer. Beowulf's ratings are a fair bit worse but after J&H they may well have seen it coming. They certainly seemed to tone down the promotion compared to what J&H got. Jericho they may have had higher expectations of so I suspect that is the biggest disappointment. Yes it's an improvement on last year but that isn't really good enough!

It'll be interesting to see where things stand come March when both BBC1 and ITV will have different schedules. Presumably both will have less drama (which makes the scheduling of Jericho and Shetland seem annoying). I assume ITV's 9pm slots will have a mix of Grantchester, Scott & Bailey, Doctor Thorne, Dark Angel and Maigret. So a lot of shorter run drama but probably safer bets. Mission Survive will probably be back around then as well. Not sure if they'll go for Fridays again or try it elsewhere. Saturdays will be Takeaway and You're Back in The Room. It all looks solid enough but you do wish they had that one show that could do really big numbers. I know BGT is back in the Spring but it's 10 years old now, they need to find the new hits.

Not sure what BBC1 will have. Happy Valley and The Night Manager will take 9pm slots but I suspect there will be more factual than at present.”

Poldark will presumably take over from War and Peace. I wonder if they might switch Happy Valley to Monday to give The Night Manager an 'easier' run on Tuesday nights? It'll depend what ITV have lined up. I reckon Have I Got News For You and... something... will take the Friday slot once Shetland is out of the way. Citizen Khan?! Wednesday's and Thursday's are harder to pinpoint; factual will air on one of those nights at least.

I haven't got such a clear idea about ITV as I don't know what they have ready. Grantchester will cover at least six weeks but all the other shows are short runs so they'll have to have a lot in reserve. They've started to promote Churchill's Secret again so I wonder if that will get the Sunday slot after Vera's finished?

Just alluding to something you said earlier - maybe they should look to schedule a show before Britain's Got Talent this year to move to the winter next year to take that slot between Ninja Warrior and Take Me Out in your fantasy schedule? It could be a slot where they push light entertainment which can hold up the schedule in other parts of the year.

Saying that, I think Take Me Out should move earlier rather than later if anything. It skews young, so 8.30pm on a Saturday wouldn't be a great slot for it. I like the idea of moving The Voice UK to a Sunday and airing 90 minute shows. It might dip to the mid 4s/low 5s but that's still better than what's airing now and it would hold an end up. If they can somehow lure a younger audience to it whilst keeping the older demo interested they'd on to a winner. But the decline now must be a concern.

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Could they not use Mission Survive as a Saturday on Sunday show? Friday was completely the wrong slot. If You're Back in the Room folows Takeaway then I think it will be a waste, I'm expecting this to return as a flop despite holding up in its 1st series. The interest will have gone. Push it back to later in the evening.

I woud like to see Mission Survive on Saturday or Sunday. (have the filmed it yet because I've heard of any celebs taking part?) Bear in mind Ch4 will have The JUmp, so Saturday would be best.

7pm Saturday Night Takeaway
8.20pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive
9.20pm You're Back in The Room

Score

25-01-2016

Doesn't look like Poldark will be back until the Autumn so that's out. I think Happy Valley will get Tuesdays. Is Ordinary Lies due back soon?

Yes Churchill's Secret will get a slot. They've got The Durrells which is a 6 part drama and series 2 of Home Fires is in the can already. I wonder if Victoria might air as soon as April? Depends on how long it is in post-production for. They've also got the 8 part drama Marcella. Again not sure if that's due for Spring or if it'll be later in the year. Autumn looks full so a Spring slot could be on the cards. There's also the Davina series Life at The Extreme which could do quite well or will end up a massive flop. Only time will tell.

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“Poldark will presumably take over from War and Peace. I wonder if they might switch Happy Valley to Monday to give The Night Manager an 'easier' run on Tuesday nights? It'll depend what ITV have lined up. I reckon Have I Got News For You and... something... will take the Friday slot once Shetland is out of the way. Citizen Khan?! Wednesday's and Thursday's are harder to pinpoint; factual will air on one of those nights at least.

I haven't got such a clear idea about ITV as I don't know what they have ready. Grantchester will cover at least six weeks but all the other shows are short runs so they'll have to have a lot in reserve. They've started to promote Churchill's Secret again so I wonder if that will get the Sunday slot after Vera's finished?

Just alluding to something you said earlier - maybe they should look to schedule a show before Britain's Got Talent this year to move to the winter next year to take that slot between Ninja Warrior and Take Me Out in your fantasy schedule? It could be a slot where they push light entertainment which can hold up the schedule in other parts of the year.

Saying that, I think Take Me Out should move earlier rather than later if anything. It skews young, so 8.30pm on a Saturday wouldn't be a great slot for it. I like the idea of moving The Voice UK to a Sunday and airing 90 minute shows. It might dip to the mid 4s/low 5s but that's still better than what's airing now and it would hold an end up. If they can somehow lure a younger audience to it whilst keeping the older demo interested they'd on to a winner. But the decline now must be a concern.”

Poldark is being lined up for the DA slot its just vacated. I suspect the BBC are looking for this to dominate 9pm Sunday's like DA did on ITV.

Do you think when ITV launch Victoria on Sunday in March/April they will give it a BGT lead in at 8pm? Or will it be something lkie Sunday Night at the Palladium?

Home Fires I suspect will also take a Sunday slot in March following on from Vera - Churchill's Secret - Maigret.

H of De Vil

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“Doesn't look like Poldark will be back until the Autumn so that's out. I think Happy Valley will get Tuesdays. Is Ordinary Lies due back soon?

Yes Churchill's Secret will get a slot. They've got The Durrells which is a 6 part drama and series 2 of Home Fires is in the can already. I wonder if Victoria might air as soon as April? Depends on how long it is in post-production for. They've also got the 8 part drama Marcella. Again not sure if that's due for Spring or if it'll be later in the year. Autumn looks full so a Spring slot could be on the cards. There's also the Davina series Life at The Extreme which could do quite well or will end up a massive flop. Only time will tell.”

I suspect that will be 9pm on Tuesday, so likely the latter.

Pizzatheaction

25-01-2016

Citizen Khan will be at the end of the year, but maybe Boomers or I Want My Wife Back will go with HIGNFY in April. Then again, it might just be repeats at 9.30pm, or Masterchef running from 8.30-9.30pm, with HIGNFY at 9.30.

Score

25-01-2016

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“With The Voice, they need to ensure this is not another singing show dominating the night, like TXF does and now its weakening, they've got nothing to replace it with.

The Voice shoud be on the outskirts of primetime, not in the cemtre at 7.30pm or 8pm. So I like your idea of Sunday at 6.30pm. I like your Saturday schedule as well. Ninja Warrior UK is doing fab against TVUK. So they've found something that can do well against BBC1.

The ideal Sunday schedule is to build up the evening, so I would do:

5.15pm ITV news
5.45pm Catchphrase (since it does fairly well in the early evening)
6.30pm The Voice UK
8pm Vera”

I like that. I do wonder if they'd want to launch a new drama next January though. Vera/Endeavour normally play in the Spring and feel like a bit of a stop-gap this year. That is a nice schedule though, could do quite well. I do get your point about not wanting The Voice to dominate the evening. Having said that, the 7pm-9pm slot worked well for X Factor in the Autumn.

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“Could they not use Mission Survive as a Saturday on Sunday show? Friday was completely the wrong slot. If You're Back in the Room folows Takeaway then I think it will be a waste, I'm expecting this to return as a flop despite holding up in its 1st series. The interest will have gone. Push it back to later in the evening.

I woud like to see Mission Survive on Saturday or Sunday. (have the filmed it yet because I've heard of any celebs taking part?) Bear in mind Ch4 will have The JUmp, so Saturday would be best.

7pm Saturday Night Takeaway
8.20pm Bear Grylls: Mission Survive
9.20pm You're Back in The Room”

Mission Survive was filmed in November. I don't know who's in it either but they kept it under wraps last year too so it's nothing new. That isn't a bad schedule but Mission Survive doesn't really feel like a Saturday show. I don't know where it'd fit best really and I think that's how it wound up on Friday last year. It could work on Saturday I suppose but it doesn't really feel like a post-Takeaway show. Also 9.20pm is way too late for a show as daft as YBITR. I'd leave it after Takeaway for now, it did well enough last year. If you really wanted to demote it then really you'd have to put it before Takeaway not after it, even 8.20pm was pushing it.

H of De Vil

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“I like that. I do wonder if they'd want to launch a new drama next January though. Vera/Endeavour normally play in the Spring and feel like a bit of a stop-gap this year. That is a nice schedule though, could do quite well. I do get your point about not wanting The Voice to dominate the evening. Having said that, the 7pm-9pm slot worked well for X Factor in the Autumn.

Mission Survive was filmed in November. I don't know who's in it either but they kept it under wraps last year too so it's nothing new. That isn't a bad schedule but Mission Survive doesn't really feel like a Saturday show. I don't know where it'd fit best really and I think that's how it wound up on Friday last year. It could work on Saturday I suppose but it doesn't really feel like a post-Takeaway show. Also 9.20pm is way too late for a show as daft as YBITR. I'd leave it after Takeaway for now, it did well enough last year. If you really wanted to demote it then really you'd have to put it before Takeaway not after it, even 8.20pm was pushing it.”

The only other slot I feel Mission Survive would work is Sunday at 8pm, or perhaps Wednesday at 8pm? But I think the Sunday at 8pm is a btter fit because its in the slot that Top Gear did well and Ch4 outdoor factual does well there.

So..

7pm Sunday Night at The Palladium (Bradley Walsh host all)
8pm Mission Survive
9pm Home Fires

Jonwo

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“Poldark is being lined up for the DA slot its just vacated. I suspect the BBC are looking for this to dominate 9pm Sunday's like DA did on ITV.

Do you think when ITV launch Victoria on Sunday in March/April they will give it a BGT lead in at 8pm? Or will it be something lkie Sunday Night at the Palladium?

Home Fires I suspect will also take a Sunday slot in March following on from Vera - Churchill's Secret - Maigret.”

Maigret is March though I don't know if it's just one episode or two. I suspect it's just one with the other one airing later in the year,

The Night Manager is likely for Sundays after War and Peace and the BAFTAs, it's launching on AMC's global channels fro the 22nd February which makes me think it'll air the day before

Fudd

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“Doesn't look like Poldark will be back until the Autumn so that's out. I think Happy Valley will get Tuesdays. Is Ordinary Lies due back soon?

Yes Churchill's Secret will get a slot. They've got The Durrells which is a 6 part drama and series 2 of Home Fires is in the can already. I wonder if Victoria might air as soon as April? Depends on how long it is in post-production for. They've also got the 8 part drama Marcella. Again not sure if that's due for Spring or if it'll be later in the year. Autumn looks full so a Spring slot could be on the cards. There's also the Davina series Life at The Extreme which could do quite well or will end up a massive flop. Only time will tell.”

Ah ok, that's understandable. Countryfile, Strictly, Antiques Roadshow, Poldark will work together well. I'm not sure what the BBC have lined up for the autumn - it's funny, I know more about what might be coming up for the BBC now but know more about what ITV might air in the autumn!

So what are we looking at for ITV in the autumn? Cold Feet on the Sunday, maybe Brief Encounters on Monday as it's a comedy drama a la Doc Martin, factual failures on Tuesday, The Good Karma Hospital on Wednesday, DCI Banks on Thursday and Life Stories on Friday? They're risking it having so much new drama (goodness knows how Cold Feet will be received) airing but I guess they have to take the plunge with no Downton Abbey or Doc Martin.

Fudd

26-01-2016

As Score said, you couldn't have You're Back in the Room on so late. I suppose they could move it to 7pm, have Takeaway at 8pm the Mission Survive at 9.20pm? But again I imagine Mission Survive skews young so late Saturday night doesn't seem right for it - then again neither did Friday!

I do like your Sunday schedule for Quarter One though, will Catchphrase leading into The Voice leading into the 8pm drama; that should hold up well even if it won't win the night.

Score

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“Ah ok, that's understandable. Countryfile, Strictly, Antiques Roadshow, Poldark will work together well. I'm not sure what the BBC have lined up for the autumn - it's funny, I know more about what might be coming up for the BBC now but know more about what ITV might air in the autumn!

So what are we looking at for ITV in the autumn? Cold Feet on the Sunday, maybe Brief Encounters on Monday as it's a comedy drama a la Doc Martin, factual failures on Tuesday, The Good Karma Hospital on Wednesday, DCI Banks on Thursday and Life Stories on Friday? They're risking it having so much new drama (goodness knows how Cold Feet will be received) airing but I guess they have to take the plunge with no Downton Abbey or Doc Martin.”

There's the Prime Suspect prequel Tennison on ITV as well. You'd think that'd get a plum slot. Also they'll have a period drama on the Sunday I reckon, either Victoria or The Halcyon (depending on whether Victoria airs before then or not). Cold Feet for Mondays probably. I saw on Twitter that Brief Encounters is airing in the Summer. Not sure exactly when that means as Summer in TV land can mean many things but you'd think July/August once Euro 2016 is out of the way. It's what makes me think Marcella will air this Spring, there's no room in the Autumn. I doubt Life Stories will return so one of those dramas could land on Fridays.

H of De Vil

26-01-2016

I think The Halycon will take the Sunday 9pm slot because that feels like a Sunday 9pm drama, but ITV need to launch it a week or two before Poldark, otherwise it will dominate the Sunday 9pm slot for 10 weeks.

Monday will be Cold Feet I suspect which will fit well with Corrie. Breif Encounters looks to me like a bonafide hit. I think this should launch on Sunday at 8pm. Its giving me vibes of Last Tango In Halifax crossed between Darling Buds.

Score

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“The only other slot I feel Mission Survive would work is Sunday at 8pm, or perhaps Wednesday at 8pm? But I think the Sunday at 8pm is a btter fit because its in the slot that Top Gear did well and Ch4 outdoor factual does well there.

So..

7pm Sunday Night at The Palladium (Bradley Walsh host all)
8pm Mission Survive
9pm Home Fires”

You're right in saying that BBC2 and C4 have done well with that sort of stuff on Sundays. The difference is that they tend to air a lot of male skewing stuff on Sundays. Mission Survive sticks out like a sore thumb between Palladium and Home Fires.

Wednesdays could work though. I think Drive might go there as well.

Incidentally Rachel Riley has said on Twitter that It's Not Rocket Science begins on Tuesday 16th February. Presumably it'll be at 8pm. Whilst I'm glad they keep trying on Tuesdays, it seems fairly obvious that this will die on its arse there. It probably wouldn't do much wherever but Tuesday will make sure it does as badly as possible.

H of De Vil

26-01-2016

When Britain's Got Talent returns I think ITV are looking to launch new comedy panel show Its Not Rocket Science in the 9pm hour. It would certainly be better than putting Play To The Whilstle in that slot again.

EDIT: Its Not Rocket Science on Tuesday at 8pm? Death becomes it. In all seriousness, they really need to improve Tuesday's and there are a few programmes that are known/could to do well on this day at 8pm leading into a drama.

Paul O' Grady Animal Orphans
The Chase
Love Your Garden
Tipping Point Lucky Stars

Fudd

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“There's the Prime Suspect prequel Tennison on ITV as well. You'd think that'd get a plum slot. Also they'll have a period drama on the Sunday I reckon, either Victoria or The Halcyon (depending on whether Victoria airs before then or not). Cold Feet for Mondays probably. I saw on Twitter that Brief Encounters is airing in the Summer. Not sure exactly when that means as Summer in TV land can mean many things but you'd think July/August once Euro 2016 is out of the way. It's what makes me think Marcella will air this Spring, there's no room in the Autumn. I doubt Life Stories will return so one of those dramas could land on Fridays.”

This is ITV we're talking about; I'd be more shocked if it was quietly axed!

They could give Tennison the Wednesday 8pm slot as it's worked well for Midsomer Murders this time around. Bit of a risk as it would be up against Bake Off for some of it's run but, like with Endeavour/Vera, it could be a case of accepting the hit for actually having some respectability for the night. The Good Karma Hospital could then switch to Friday's.

Cold Feet has always aired on a Sunday except for series 4 where it did double up across Sunday and Monday's. That's why I think they might try it there, especially as I imagine there will be more of a crossover between The X Factor (which will probably continue in the 8pm slot because they haven't got anything else) than Coronation Street and might attract a different audience to Poldark. Putting Victoria or The Halycon against an established period drama is just asking for trouble, especially as The X Factor, if they're lucky, will 'only' be offering a lead in of about 6m - IIRC it was over 10m when they used it to launch Downton.

Originally Posted by H of De Vil:
“I think The Halycon will take the Sunday 9pm slot because that feels like a Sunday 9pm drama, but ITV need to launch it a week or two before Poldark, otherwise it will dominate the Sunday 9pm slot for 10 weeks.

Monday will be Cold Feet I suspect which will fit well with Corrie. Breif Encounters looks to me like a bonafide hit. I think this should launch on Sunday at 8pm. Its giving me vibes of Last Tango In Halifax crossed between Darling Buds.”

I'm not sure what kind of support they could give The Halycon though. If Night Manager does air on Sunday then ITV may sense that they can attract the older audience across after Antiques Roadshow finishes but it'll probably have to self-start unless it's gifted a lead in from The X Factor. Maybe Brief Encounters at 8pm and The Halycon at 9pm after the football's finished in the summer? The only thing which holds me back on it is I sense Brief Encounters is for a 9pm slot.

Fudd

26-01-2016

Originally Posted by Score:
“You're right in saying that BBC2 and C4 have done well with that sort of stuff on Sundays. The difference is that they tend to air a lot of male skewing stuff on Sundays. Mission Survive sticks out like a sore thumb between Palladium and Home Fires.

Wednesdays could work though. I think Drive might go there as well.

Incidentally Rachel Riley has said on Twitter that It's Not Rocket Science begins on Tuesday 16th February. Presumably it'll be at 8pm. Whilst I'm glad they keep trying on Tuesdays, it seems fairly obvious that this will die on its arse there. It probably wouldn't do much wherever but Tuesday will make sure it does as badly as possible.”

I was hoping they had this lined up for Ninja Warrior's spring slot, i.e. leading into Britain's Got Talent. Something fun, a bit different, with personable presenters, in an easier slot with The Voice UK out of the way. As you say, it will probably die there.

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