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The Ratings Thread (Part 68)


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Old 14-08-2016, 12:02
Score
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Ahead of the new series, The X Factor judges have been talking to Weekend magazine (I read it online, I wouldn't buy the Mail!) about this year's changes and last year's show. Some of it is relevant to this thread.

On last year's ratings:

Suffice to say, the experiment was not a success. Viewers were ambivalent about Grimmers, to say the least, and took to Twitter in their thousands to complain that Olly and Carol i ne couldn’t compare to the much-loved Dermot. The biggest objector, it turns out, was Louis, who let Simon know in no uncertain terms that he’d made a huge mistake in the direction he’d taken the show. ‘ It didn’t work,’ he points out, loudly, today. ‘It didn’t. It was all wrong – and Simon knew it. I spoke to him after the first show and I said, “Simon, it doesn’t work” and he said, “I know Louis, I know, but it’s too late.”’

This isn’t quite how Simon remembers it. ‘Well no, it wasn’t quite like that but, yes, Louis did phone me up, constantly, to berate me about it. He would rant down the phone after every show, to the point where I’d just put the phone down and read a magazine or something. But he was genuinely upset about it.’

With good reason. The expected boost in ratings didn’t happen. The X Factor wasn’t exactly a flop last year, but viewers weren’t clamouring to watch it either – the average audience for the series was 7.8 million, down from 12.9 million in 2010. ‘Was it a disaster? No, not a disaster,’ argues Simon, as Louis pretty much runs round shouting, ‘It was a disaster!’ ‘The first episode wasn’t great,’ continues Simon, ‘but you have to look at the weekly figures, after people watch it on Catch Up. They were OK actually.’
Those numbers aren't quite accurate. In the consolidated numbers (which I presume they're referring to) it was 14.1m in 2010 and 8.2m last year.

On this year's changes:

The sustained criticism – from ardent fans, not just Louis – convinced Simon he had to rethink the entire show, and quickly. ‘The audience of this show is very vocal, and with social media there’s no escaping it,’ says Simon. ‘It became very clear very quickly that the audience didn’t like it. But you know what? When that happens, we can move just as quickly to change things, and we have. We’ve listened.’

A meeting in LA apparently followed. ‘We gathered all the producers together, as we do every year, and asked them, “Who would you like to see on the panel this year?” Every single one came up with this line-up. That’s never happened before.’ Similarly, when he announced that so many familiar faces were coming back, he was met mostly with positivity. ‘It was the first time I’ve ever announced a panel where no one reacted with, “Have you gone completely nuts?”’ he laughs.
I'm not sure what to expect this year. I think the chances of the ratings rising are pretty much zilch as when you've got one of these long running shows in decline that doesn't just get turned around. But it's a question of whether it stabilises or collapses. Last time they went with a similar panel (2013) the numbers were good and steady. But last year's series didn't just decline numbers-wise, it was really unpopular with a lot of the audience too and that takes some turning around. The launch over the Bank Holiday weekend won't help and the promotion hasn't been amazing so far. I think they've made some changes that the audience might like but is it too little too late?

It's a really important year with the contract renewal and they'll want it to do well. A big drop could see it putting in some really mediocre numbers which won't justify another big contract.
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:10
iaindb
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So much for MOTD getting record ratings to watch Gary in his undies. Beaten by BBC2!
We need to see the 10 second peak (peek?) because some people would just have a quick glance to see if GL kept his promise and then switch off.
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:19
iaindb
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Absolutely dire ratings for ITV (more akin to one of its "digital" channels than its main channel). And once again the ratings for the Olympics show that the viewing public is interested.
Outside the Olympics, those are some pretty terrible ratings, but I'm not surprised. ITV should have tried a little harder outside of Catchphrase to try and at least get appealing things as a opposite to the Olympics.
But if the Olympics are doing so well the there's no point in ITV making much of an effort against it, particularly at the height of summer.

And "appealing things" for who? Everybody has different tastes and different programmes appeal to different people. My mum, for instance, not an Olympic viewer, last night watched Dad's Army then You've Been Framed then Catchphrase so she watched more of ITV than any other channel last night.
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:26
Markynotts
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ITV are to bring back Blankety Blank after 14 years away from our screens.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...-a7189861.html

I can't believe it has been 14 years since the Lily Savage version.
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:34
wizzywick
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I must admit that I am happy to concede that the BBC's decision to show virtually Olympics and nothing else is a good one. Perhaps, in hindsight, they have made the Olympics more of an event in recent years than it would otherwise have been previously. They do seem to be able to highlight key British participation events and capitalise on an audience for those events. And, as it is only every 4 years, I guess people seem to enjoy the "event status" that the BBC has created. Cleverly, it has garnered them opportunity to launch some of their big forthcoming shows as they have an inherited default audience. If ITV can muster only 720K on a Saturday night, what the hell are they doing wrong? People looking for alternatives to the ongoing sport are just watching the Sport or nothing else it would seem. If ITV have such low audiences, who are watching their programme trails?

I like to be proven wrong when it comes to TV and its schedules and its ratings. And, with regards to the BBC's decision to show blanket Olympics coverage, I have been proved wrong, and I'm pleased to admit that. The BBC obviously know their audience better than ITV know theirs.
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:38
wizzywick
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But if the Olympics are doing so well the there's no point in ITV making much of an effort against it, particularly at the height of summer.

And "appealing things" for who? Everybody has different tastes and different programmes appeal to different people. My mum, for instance, not an Olympic viewer, last night watched Dad's Army then You've Been Framed then Catchphrase so she watched more of ITV than any other channel last night.
But to attract an audience, you have to make the effort. If ITV have audiences akin to a digital channel at peak time Saturday night, won't advertisers be entitled to demand a reduction in what they pay? Surely low figures like that could ultimately affect their advertising revenue which in turn could affect their programme budget?
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Old 14-08-2016, 12:38
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But if the Olympics are doing so well the there's no point in ITV making much of an effort against it, particularly at the height of summer.

And "appealing things" for who? Everybody has different tastes and different programmes appeal to different people. My mum, for instance, not an Olympic viewer, last night watched Dad's Army then You've Been Framed then Catchphrase so she watched more of ITV than any other channel last night.
Appealing to the non-Olympic audience.

Eg. something like Countryfile will provide tonight against the Olympics on BBC2. Not everyone is watching the Olympics.

Putting up crappy films is not great, is it? Surely they could have done better than that. I know they feel there's no point making an effort, but it would be nice for them to at least try.

What's on ITV next week... Casino Royale? Quantum of Solace? Skyfall?

The Olympics is getting less than the Euro's were, and the main channels at least attempted to bring in some audience, and some channels succeeded. There were quite a few decent raters up against the Euro's.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:04
Ash_M1
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I must admit that I am happy to concede that the BBC's decision to show virtually Olympics and nothing else is a good one. Perhaps, in hindsight, they have made the Olympics more of an event in recent years than it would otherwise have been previously. They do seem to be able to highlight key British participation events and capitalise on an audience for those events. And, as it is only every 4 years, I guess people seem to enjoy the "event status" that the BBC has created. Cleverly, it has garnered them opportunity to launch some of their big forthcoming shows as they have an inherited default audience. If ITV can muster only 720K on a Saturday night, what the hell are they doing wrong? People looking for alternatives to the ongoing sport are just watching the Sport or nothing else it would seem. If ITV have such low audiences, who are watching their programme trails?

I like to be proven wrong when it comes to TV and its schedules and its ratings. And, with regards to the BBC's decision to show blanket Olympics coverage, I have been proved wrong, and I'm pleased to admit that. The BBC obviously know their audience better than ITV know theirs.
I think the Olympics taps into non-sports fans (as well as sports fans obviously) like my good-self. Bite-size sport if you like. A bit of diving, a bit of gymnastics and a bit of swimming. Perfect...sport we don't normally see. Then I switch sport off for four years.

I think the success of London 2012 and the excellent job the Beeb did then has built a legacy for the Games. All the time the Brits do well, Brits will be interested. The challenge for the sports people is to ensure that the Brits keep winning.

Sometimes I ask myself is blanket coverage a bit much, but on balance, I think it's right. It only happens twice every ten years. EastEnders and The News have provided a welcome break when needed.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:17
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Record low for ITV? How did Super Saturday in 2012 compare?
Here's the ratings thread page from that day

There were some extraordinary viewing figures during the London games if you have a look at some of the other pages in that thread.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:44
Chris1964
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I think the Olympics taps into non-sports fans (as well as sports fans obviously) like my good-self. Bite-size sport if you like. A bit of diving, a bit of gymnastics and a bit of swimming. Perfect...sport we don't normally see. Then I switch sport off for four years.

I think the success of London 2012 and the excellent job the Beeb did then has built a legacy for the Games. All the time the Brits do well, Brits will be interested. The challenge for the sports people is to ensure that the Brits keep winning.

Sometimes I ask myself is blanket coverage a bit much, but on balance, I think it's right. It only happens twice every ten years. EastEnders and The News have provided a welcome break when needed.
Yes its interesting about the winning because back in the day your average Olympic hopeful was combining training with being a Milkman or something. Its amazing what money will do-Cycling particularly a case in point.

I am a big sports fan but I agree a lot of Olympic sports are a 4 year cycle of interest for me and I would imagine many others. For me its driven by the meaning and tradition of the prize at the end of it-something that cant be bought and reflected in the faces of those who win the Gold Medal.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:48
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Will be interesting to see how the Beeb manages things this evening with Andy Murray on court from 7.30pm (it was originally 4pm but later now after rain delays this week), clashing with Louis Smith and Max Whitlock in the individual gymnastics, and also the track cycling including the individual sprint final between Jason Kenny and Callum Skinner.

Couls be highest ratings yet?
I expect they will just dip in and out of the tennis on BBC1, joining it for match point.

Catchphrase looks like a burn off
I wouldn't say that. More like something half decent that will tide them over the summer, and to be fair, Olympics aside its done no worse than if it had been opposite Strictly in the autumn.

But to attract an audience, you have to make the effort. If ITV have audiences akin to a digital channel at peak time Saturday night, won't advertisers be entitled to demand a reduction in what they pay? Surely low figures like that could ultimately affect their advertising revenue which in turn could affect their programme budget?
No because the adverts for this two weeks will have been being sold at a low rate in the first place. People aren't going to switch off a once in every 4 years event regardless of how much effort they put in so there is no point putting any more effort in.

Before the Olympics started ITV were doing solidly this summer, winning 9pm quite regularly and even doing well on a Tuesday.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:57
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ITV are to bring back Blankety Blank after 14 years away from our screens.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...-a7189861.html

I can't believe it has been 14 years since the Lily Savage version.
I can't believe they are bringing it back.
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Old 14-08-2016, 13:58
Pizzatheaction
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I'm not sure what to expect this year. I think the chances of the ratings rising are pretty much zilch as when you've got one of these long running shows in decline that doesn't just get turned around. But it's a question of whether it stabilises or collapses. Last time they went with a similar panel (2013) the numbers were good and steady. But last year's series didn't just decline numbers-wise, it was really unpopular with a lot of the audience too and that takes some turning around. The launch over the Bank Holiday weekend won't help and the promotion hasn't been amazing so far. I think they've made some changes that the audience might like but is it too little too late?

It's a really important year with the contract renewal and they'll want it to do well. A big drop could see it putting in some really mediocre numbers which won't justify another big contract.
I think we'll have a fair idea about the ratings after the first three weeks. I don't think week one will tell us much.

The Family Reunion lottery quiz could give it a bit of a leg-up on Saturdays. BBC One would be better off with Who Dares Wins, which would probably get a million or so more viewers than Family Reunion.
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Old 14-08-2016, 14:04
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I can't believe they are bringing it back.
Another new and imaginative programme format from ITV. Don't tell me - presented by Vernon Kay.
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Old 14-08-2016, 14:15
Chris1964
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Here's the ratings thread page from that day

There were some extraordinary viewing figures during the London games if you have a look at some of the other pages in that thread.
..............yes its quite amusing to see Georged123 post about the same 2 million watching Midsomer Murders come what may. That probably hasn't changed

This thread history is quite something now.
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Old 14-08-2016, 14:20
Score
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I wouldn't say that. More like something half decent that will tide them over the summer, and to be fair, Olympics aside its done no worse than if it had been opposite Strictly in the autumn.
It has done OK-ish in a low key slot this year so will probably get a renewal. But it's a pretty weak show that has put in some poor ratings in a few different slots over the past year or so. It didn't do much at all at teatime last Autumn.

Speaking of Autumn teatimes, wonder what they'll use to lead into X Factor this year? Last year it was Keep it in the Family and Celeb Chase on Saturdays and Jekyll & Hyde on Sundays. This year it could be any of Go For It, The Next Great Magician, Meet The Parents, Celeb Chase, Tipping Point Lucky Stars or Little Big Shots as they're all filmed/being filmed soon.

I'd prefer The Chase/Tipping Point to go at 6pm leading into something else. Not sure if they'd go for that though. I could see it being Go For It and The Next Great Magician on Saturdays, Tipping Point/Chase on Sundays and Meet The Parents midweek. Little Big Shots for early 2017. Purely guesswork though. None of them look like the next big thing though. I'm surprised they've not ordered any episodes of Surprise Surprise or Family Fortunes or something just as a safer bet amongst the newer stuff. I had thought they'd filmed another series of Off Their Rockers as well but haven't heard anything for ages so maybe not.

Presumably it'll be Keyhole/Ross again on Saturdays afterwards. Uninspiring, although hopefully they'll replace Ross next year.

I think we'll have a fair idea about the ratings after the first three weeks. I don't think week one will tell us much.

The Family Reunion lottery quiz could give it a bit of a leg-up on Saturdays. BBC One would be better off with Who Dares Wins, which would probably get a million or so more viewers than Family Reunion.
Yes I'd agree week 1 won't tell us much, particularly over the Bank Holiday. Week 2 might have another run in with the Strictly launch as well. Not sure what the format of XF is this year and how many weeks of auditions etc there are.

Family Reunion does seem the weakest of the lottery quizzes. How many episodes are left? I notice a new 6 part series of Michael McIntyre's show is currently filming. Presumably that'll take the Doctor Who post-Strictly slot for 6 weeks. Do you think they'll commission anything else for the other 6 weeks or will it just be a lottery quiz?
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Old 14-08-2016, 14:31
Pizzatheaction
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Yes I'd agree week 1 won't tell us much, particularly over the Bank Holiday. Week 2 might have another run in with the Strictly launch as well. Not sure what the format of XF is this year and how many weeks of auditions etc there are.

Family Reunion does seem the weakest of the lottery quizzes. How many episodes are left? I notice a new 6 part series of Michael McIntyre's show is currently filming. Presumably that'll take the Doctor Who post-Strictly slot for 6 weeks. Do you think they'll commission anything else for the other 6 weeks or will it just be a lottery quiz?
There are seven editions of Family Reunion left. The one they showed two weeks ago was left over from last year's series. I'd forgotten about McIntyre's show. I expect they'll have enough material with his series, the lottery quizzes, Casualty and another long run of Pointless Celebrities - they've only shown three of the 26, so far.
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Old 14-08-2016, 14:42
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ITV (exc. HD & +1)
21:30: Film: The Bourne Identity - 720k
I shouldn't - but I did laugh out loud when I saw that this morning.

Richly deserved for such appalling scheduling. It was incredibly arrogant of them to think this 14 year old title that they already screen about a dozen times a year was going to hold up remotely well against the TV event of the year.

I wish someone would remind them that it's not the 1980s, the competition is fiercer than ever and that if they serve up absolute crud the numbers will be of similar quality.
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Old 14-08-2016, 15:19
david_leeward
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Another new and imaginative programme format from ITV. Don't tell me - presented by Vernon Kay.
I don't mind when they bring back old shows, nice to see other things which might not be new... But instead of seeing the same old, I wish they. Would cut back on emmerdale and put old quiz shows back in that place.
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Old 14-08-2016, 15:24
Dan R
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I'm not sure what to expect this year. I think the chances of the ratings rising are pretty much zilch as when you've got one of these long running shows in decline that doesn't just get turned around. But it's a question of whether it stabilises or collapses. Last time they went with a similar panel (2013) the numbers were good and steady. But last year's series didn't just decline numbers-wise, it was really unpopular with a lot of the audience too and that takes some turning around. The launch over the Bank Holiday weekend won't help and the promotion hasn't been amazing so far. I think they've made some changes that the audience might like but is it too little too late?

It's a really important year with the contract renewal and they'll want it to do well. A big drop could see it putting in some really mediocre numbers which won't justify another big contract.
I wonder if we'll be seeing a similar increase in consolidated viewing that BGT saw this year. I don't think XF could afford it though tbh.
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Old 14-08-2016, 15:27
Ash_M1
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Yes its interesting about the winning because back in the day your average Olympic hopeful was combining training with being a Milkman or something. Its amazing what money will do-Cycling particularly a case in point.

I am a big sports fan but I agree a lot of Olympic sports are a 4 year cycle of interest for me and I would imagine many others. For me its driven by the meaning and tradition of the prize at the end of it-something that cant be bought and reflected in the faces of those who win the Gold Medal.
Indeed. It puts pay to those who say you can get results without the required funding. Money does need to be pumped in in order to get results.

I was anticipating GB not doing as well this time around given the obvious cuts since 2012 (obviously money was pumped into all areas pre-2012 as we were hosting it and 'we' wanted to avoid the embarrassment of hosting without achieving).
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Old 14-08-2016, 16:05
Andy23
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Another new and imaginative programme format from ITV. Don't tell me - presented by Vernon Kay.
Bit of an outdated reference there. If you'd have said Stephen Mulhern it would have been more 2016.
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Old 14-08-2016, 17:36
H of De Vil
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Another new and imaginative programme format from ITV. Don't tell me - presented by Vernon Kay.
Although you can hardly blame them when revivals have done better than new ideas. Even the great, the fabulous the never does anything wrong BBC1 have commissioned a load of comedy revivals, where all new comedies have flopped (sub 2m for most).

And if the comedy revivals do well (especially those in the Sunday slot, like Still Open All Hours, whether they are good or not, if they rate well will get a recommission and a full series. I hate to think how weak in comedy series 3 of SOAH will be when series 2 was pretty poor.
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Old 14-08-2016, 17:37
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From rzt, this is how the Olympics rated yesterday on BBC 1:

02:00-04:00: 648k (36.1%)
* peak: 1.07m (40.0%) at 02:00
12:45-17:00: 2.92m (31.3%)
* peak: 4.64m (39.8%) at 16:50
17:20-19:10: 3.42m (25.0%)
* peak: 4.05m (31.6%) at 17:45
19:10-22:10: 6.04m (32.5%)
* peak: 9.43m (49.7%) at 22:00
23:55-02:00: 2.78m (48.2%)
* peak: 3.26m (43.1%) at 00:20
* 2.53m (59.9%) watching at 01:55
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Old 14-08-2016, 17:57
Andy_Smith1
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Anyone have an idea what will get the post strictly timeslot with no Dr Who? Is it just casualty?
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