Afternoon:
9°c
Battered Strictly quicksteps off to an earlier TV slot
Kevin Widdop, London LiteUpdated 13:02pm on 22 Oct 2009
The BBC is moving Strictly Come Dancing to an earlier time slot — but rejected claims it was running scared from ITV1's The X Factor.
All change: Strictly Come Dancing, with hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, will be moving to a new slot
The two shows have at times clashed for periods of more than an hour, forcing frustrated fans to make a choice or hop between channels on Saturday nights.
The dance programme will move to an earlier slot of 6.50pm and end at 8.45pm from Saturday 31 October, leaving only a 45-minute overlap with The X Factor, which starts at 8pm.
Strictly has been trounced in the ratings' war recently, with 7.8 million viewers against The X Factor's 10.9 million. The ITV1 show's coups include Robbie Williams's comeback appearance and a performance by Whitney Houston. It drew its biggest-ever audience on Sunday with a peak audience of 14.8 million as Cheryl Cole performed her debut solo single Fight For This Love.
The schedule change appears to be a defeat for the BBC after The X Factor boss Simon Cowell, 49, accused it of creating a “ratings battle”.
However, a BBC spokesman said it was to make way for comedian Jon Culshaw's The New Impressions Show and denied it was “running scared” of The X Factor. The overlap between the rival shows will decrease in the run-up to Christmas as more contestants are voted off Strictly.
Reader views (3)
For me personally Striclty has lost it's magic this year and that is largely down to the loss of Arlene and arrival of Alesha. No offence to the girl but she just doesn't entertain the way Arlene did. This is the first season of Strictly I have ever lost interest in and am now a definite Xfactor supporter.
- Kevin Jarman, Norwich, UK, 26/10/2009 12:57
Report abuse
The BBC shot itself in the foot by going face to face with The X Factor so it has only itself to blame. The problem for them is compounded by their choice of 'celebrities'. Viewers want to see real celebrities - not a load of unknowns. I think 'cock up' fits the bill.
- Geoffrey Speller, Altrincham, UK, 22/10/2009 17:31
Report abuse
I bet Jon Culshaw is 'thrilled' that his new series is going to be scheduled -i.e. thrown away - against a show that, whatever you think of it, attracts 12 to 14 million viewers, a large number of whom might also enjoy New Impressions.
The BBC bosses simply have no idea...
- Jargonaut, South London, 22/10/2009 15:22
Report abuse
