Series News: Channels

New Shows Set For Network Fiver

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:32:00 GMT

The freeview channel now has acquired the rights to air Knight Rider, 10 Things I Hate About you and The City, detailing its exciting new line up. Fans of The Sexy Ad Show will also be pleased to hear Fiver also scored its second series.

Jeff Ford of Fiver said the new "Exciting and fun line-up" of shows "truly reflected the change in attitude and energy of the channel." Fiver, originally named Five Life, was set up in October 2006 by the terrestrial channel Five. Since its start up, it has aired a range of shows including Dirt, Sex & the City and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, drawing in a mixed audience.

Pushing the reinvention, Fiver has now secured a deal with September Films to screen Bridezilla, which shows brides who are desperate for the perfect wedding. This marks a wise move as reality shows such as The Apprentice continually prove to be a hit. So with these new possible hits under their belt, will Fiver become the best of the freeview channels? Leave your comments below...

H. Hemblade

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 10 September 2009

New BBC Two Chief Unveils Latest Line-Up

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 10:44:00 GMT

While the BBC's homegrown output sometimes leave a lot to be desired, you can't fault its habit of grabbing the very best goggle-box viewing that other countries have to offer.

Having taken the awesome step of running every episode of The Wire from beginning to end, it seems that BBC Two's new controller, Janice Hadlow, is keen on continuing the trend.

Variety tells us that the terrestrial channel has reaffirmed its commitment to buying high-end US fare.

"We need to be very judicious about which US shows we buy," says Hadlow. "But series like The Wire, which frankly is a bit cool, help to give BBC2 its distinctive edge.

"With US shows, it is important to get the right ones. When I bought Mad Men for BBC Four (Hadlow's previous job was running BBC4) that was the right show."

So what does this mean for the discerning viewer? Well, we get more episodes of Heroes, as well as new shows such as sci-fi action series Defying Gravity and fantasy comedy Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire - which is nice!

Excited about BBC Two's new direction? Leave your comments below...

Glen Ferris

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 23 April 2009

The BBC Needs To Tighten Its Belt

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:13:00 GMT

Over the past three years the BBC has been criticised for spending �60m in travel costs, reports WhatsOnTV.

The Sun has reported that this overspending is mainly due to travel and hotel costs, through which the corporation has spent over �48m on flights and nearly �13m on overseas accommodation in those three years. This report came just weeks after the BBC announced it had to make up �140m over the next five years.

Earlier this year the corporation was criticised for excessive staff at the Beijing Olympics, sending 437 staff to China - 124 more people than there were in the British team.

Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow culutre secretary, states that the BBc has not realised its position. "The Beeb doesn't seem to have got the message that everyone else is tightening their belts...Money should be spent on good programmes, not frittered away on expenses."

However the BBC has countered this opinion, stating "We are a global broadcaster," said a spokesman. "We cannot bring the Olympics from Beijing, report issues like the US elections or bring natural history from around the world by simply being based in London."

What is your opinion, have the BBC been taking the mick with your pennies, or should they be given some slack.

Martyn Dunn

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Tuesday 30 December 2008

Crooked House's Ghoultide Joy!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:33:00 GMT

BBC Four has had a Christmas bonus thanks to Mark Gatiss' festive ghost story Crooked House winning ratings last week, reports DigitalSpy.

The original three-part tale, which centers on a mysterious door knocker, opened with an impressive 517k (3.3%) for the channel at 10.30pm last Monday, December 22.

It was the fifth most-watched multichannel programme and the most popular original multichannel programme of the day. The top audience was 764k (4.1%) for BBC Three's EastEnders repeat, followed by 720k (6.3%) for ITV2's screening of Love Actually from 10pm.

The only other show to match Crooked House popularity was a firm regular on our screens, the QI christmas Special, getting an impressive 5.11m (21.5%).

Did you watch Crooked House? Did it fill you with festive fear?

Martyn Dunn

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 29 December 2008

Wallace & Gromit Win Christmas Ratings

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:33:00 GMT

It seems that Britions reckon a helping of Wallace & Gromit is the perfect accompaniment to a turkey dinner. The duo's latest adventure A Matter Of Loaf And Death , won the Christmas Day ratings battle by a mile, reports Digital Spy.

14.25m (53.3% tuned into catch Wallace and his trusty canine companion on BBC One between 8.30pm and 9pm, a figure that rose to an impressive 15.88m (58.1%) by the end of the programme. A rerun of another of the odd couple's adventures, Wallace & Gromit: the Curse of the Were-Rabbit, was seen by 7.22m (39.8%) from 4.30pm, making it the day's most watched film.

BBC One dominated the ratings overall, with Doctor Who,EastEnders, The Royle Family and the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special finishing second, thrid, fourth and fifth respectively.

'The Next Doctor', gleaned 11.71 million viewers, 50.5% of the the 6pm hour, and 12.58m (51.6%) in the final five minutes, while two episodes of EastEnders brought in 9.89m (40.6%) at 8pm and 11.47m (44.9%) an hour later. 9.98m (41.7%) tuned into The Royle Family's one-off episode at 9.30pm.

At 7pm, the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special trumped ITV1's hour-long installment Coronation Street, winning 8.57m (35%) viewers compared to the soap's 7.36m (30%). Fellow ITV 1soap, Emmerdale, attracted an audience of 4.76m (20.5%) in the 6pm hour opposite Who.

Later on the Beeb's main rival, a Dancing On Ice Christmas special averaged a reasonable 5.2m (20.4%) between 8pm and 9.30pm, then TV bloopers show It'll Be Alright On The Night drew 3.8m (15.9%).

The Queen's annual 3pm speech, which struck a sombre note this year, attracted around an extra 500 thousand people this year - 6.45m (42.6%) on BBC One and 1.77m (11.7%) on ITV1.

Channel 4's highest-rated emission was the second episode of Deal Or No Deal Christmas Star at 3.10pm, with 1.71m (11.5%) tuning in, while Five peaked at 648 thousand (3.7%) for the three-hour clip show Most Shocking Moments of the 21st Century.

The top multichannel audience of the day was 675k (5.4%) for behind-the-scenes programme Gavin & Stacey: 12 Days Of Christmas, shown on BBC Three at 11.30pm.

Overall, BBC One had an average primetime share of 41% (last week: 20.3%) while ITV1 averaged out to 20.9% (16.6%). BBC Two took third place with 7.1% (9.3%), followed by Channel 4 with 3.5% (10.6%) and Five with 2.3% (4%).

What did you watch this Christmas?

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 29 December 2008

NBC Releases Partial Midseason Schedule

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 12:56:00 GMT

US network NBC has released a partial midseason schedule, which notably lacks Lipstick Jungle, over which the axe of cancellation hovers ever closer.

A number of other shows are missing too, as The Live Feed notes - there are no air dates as yet for Medium, Kings, Life, Chuck or Heroes. It looks like fans of those shows will have to hold out until at least Februrary for a fresh fix. The network plans to announce the February and March schedule at a later date. In the meantime, satisfy your shorter-term curiosity with a glance at what's coming up on NBC in January:

Mondays (beginning January 5)
8-10 pm - Superstars of Dance premieres Sunday, Jan 4 (9-11 pm); season finale Monday, Jan 26 (8-9 pm)
10-11 pm � Momma''s Boys
(Chuck and Heroes return in February)

Tuesdays (beginning January 6)
8-10 pm - The Biggest Loser: Couples
10-11 pm - Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Tuesday (January 20)
10-11 p. � Dateline NBC": Presidential Inauguration Special (10-11 .m ET)

Wednesdays (beginning January 7)
8-9 pm -- Knight Rider
9-10 pm � Law & Order: Special Victims Unit encores (Life returns in February)
10-11 pm - Law & Order

Thursdays (beginning January 8)
8-8:30 pm � My Name is Earl
8:30-9 pm -Kath & Kim
9:00-9:31 pm - The Office
9:31-10 pm - 30 Rock
10-11 pm � ER

Fridays
8-9 pm -- Howie Do It (series premiere January 9)
9-10 pm � "Friday Night Lights" (beginning January 16)
10-11 pm -- Dateline NBC (beginning December 5)

Saturdays (beginning January 10)
8-11 � Law & Order: Special Victims Unit encores

Sundays (January 4)
7-9 pm � Saturday Night Live Sports Extra
9-11 pm � Superstars of Dance (premiere)

Sunday - Event Specials
8-11 pm� The Golden Globe Awards(January 11)
9-11 p.m. � Saturday Night Live Film Festival (January 18)
9-11 pm - The Last Templar-- (January 25 and Monday, January 26)
6:15-10 pm - Super Bowl XLIII (February 1)

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 4 December 2008

CW Announce Mid-Season Schedule: Reaper Returns

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 12:11:00 GMT

Reaper is coming in from the cold this Spring after a long hibernation, reports Zap2It. The CW has finally scheduled the show's second season, which will consist of 13 episode. It will join 90210 on Tuesday nights from March 17, slipping into the slot vacated by Privileged when the teen soap finishes its 18-episode debut season.

The diabolic dramedy centres on Sam (Tyler Labine), a drop-out who discovers on his 21st birthday that his parents sold his soul to the devil before his birth... and Satan (Ray Wise) wants to cash in! Suddenly the slacker has a purpose in life: tracking down escapees from Hell and sending them back with his new supernatural powers.

Meanwhile Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural , Everybody Hates Chris and The Game will pick up their seasons after the holidays in January.

Check out the full CW mid-season schedule below:

Monday
8-9 pm - Gossip Girl(new episodes begin Jan. 5)
9-10 p.m. -One Tree Hill (new episodes begin Jan. 5)

Tuesday
8-9 pm - 90210 (new episodes begin Jan. 6)
9-10 pm - Privileged (new episodes begin Jan. 6)

Wednesday
8-9 pm "13 - Fear Is Real (new episodes begin Jan. 7)
9-10 pm 90210 (encore)

Thursday
8-9 pm Smallville (new episodes begin Jan. 15)
9-10 pm Supernatural (new episodes begin Jan. 15)

Friday
8-8:30 pm - "Everybody Hates Chris (new episodes begin Jan. 9)
8:30-9 pm - The Game (new episodes begin Jan. 9)
9-10 pm - "13 - Fear Is Real (encore)

Tuesday (beginning March 17)
8-9 pm 90210
9-10 pm Reaper premiere

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 4 December 2008

Cupid, Castle and The Unusuals Make For A Easter Feast

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:12:00 GMT

The arrival of a new crop of shows are set to put a spring into ABC's midseason schedule, reports Zap2It. Come Springtime, US audiences will see new dramas Cupid, Castle, and The Unusuals take root.

Cupid starring Bobby Cannavale a.k.a Vince from Will & Grace,c centres on a man who may be the mortal representation of the God of Love, and premieres Stateside on March 24.

Castle is an hour long drama that will first air March 9. The series starsNathan Fillion, of Serenity fame, as a deterctive novelist who helps the authorities battle the criminal underworld.

Last in the new line-up, The Unusuals starts onApril 8. It explores trials and tribulations of a homicide squad and will feature Amber Tamblyn and Harold Perrineau.

The trio will replace cancelled series Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money (see our story). Which, if any, of the new crop will you be watching out for?

Martyn Dunn

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Wednesday 3 December 2008

NBC Postpones Chuck, Life And Heroes 'Til February

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:00:00 GMT

NBC has released its mid-season schedule and favourites Chuck, Heroes and Life are nowhere to be seen, says blog Televisionary.

Don't fret, all is not lost. It's only a month or two 'til Law & Order and its several spin-off come back. Thursday nights still have My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim (US), The Office and 30 Rock, not to mention the final episodes of ER. Are you excited?

Check out the rest of the series scedule below:

Monday

(N.B.: Chuck and Heroes return in February)

Tuesday
Tuesdays, beginning January 6th
10-11 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Wednesday
Wednesdays, beginning January 7th
8-9 pm: Knight Rider
9-10 pm: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeats)
10-11 pm: Law & Order

(N.B.: Life returns in February)

Thursday
Thursdays, beginning January 8th
8-8:30 pm: My Name is Earl
8:30-9 pm: Kath & Kim (US)
9:00-9:31 pm: The Office
9:31-10 pm: 30 Rock
10-11 pm: ER

Friday
Fridays, beginning January 16th
9-10 pm: Friday Night Lights

Saturday
Saturdays, beginning January 10th
8-11 pm: Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (repeats)

Can you live without your favourite series 'til February? Are you looking forward to the last episodes of ER? Let us know!

Ellie Broughton

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Wednesday 26 November 2008

FOX Releases Mid-Season Schedule

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 11:04:00 GMT

American network FOX has finally announced its midseason schedule for winter 2008/09, reports Televisionary.

J.J. Abrahms sci fi fest, Fringe, has evidently impressed the network thus far - it's been moved to the covetable post-American Idol timeslot on Tuesdays. Brand new drama, Lie To Me, also landed a post-American Idol timeslot on Wednesday nights.

But while the network giveth, it also taketh away: The flagging Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles has been resigned to the timeslot desert that is Friday nights, where it will be joined by the hotly anticipated (by us at least!) new Joss Whedon project, Dollhouse. Hmm, seems like Friday nights are some turning into some kind of sci fi ghetto. Needless to say, Whedon-ites are none too pleased with the placing of their idol's latest offering. Dollhouse has already had a few production bumps (see our story), so perhaps Fox is already getting cold feet...

Check out the rest of the series scedule below:

Monday

Monday January 5:

Monday January 12:
8-10 pm: 24 (Season 7 Premiere, Part 2)

Mondays, beginning January 19:
8-9 pm: House (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: 24 (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday

Tuesday, Jan 13:

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 20th:
9-10 pm: Fringe (Time Period Premiere)

Wednesday

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 21st:
9-10 pm: Lie To Me (Series Premiere)

Thursday

Thursdays, beginning Jan 15:
8-9 pm: Bones (Time Period Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 29th:
8-9 pm: Bones

Friday

Fridays, beginning Feb 13:
8-9 pm: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: Dollhouse (Series Premiere)

Sunday

Sunday, Jan 11:
8-10 pm: 24 (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Sundays, beginning Jan 18th:
8-10 pm: ANIMATION DOMINATION (The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy and American Dad!)

N.B.: Prison Break and 'Til Death will return to the schedule at a later date.

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Friday 7 November 2008

Saturday Night Low For Channel 4

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 12:38:00 GMT

Channel 4's ratings hit rock bottom on Saturday, reports The Sun. It attracted its lowest audience share in 15 years, with an average of just 3.7 per cent of the day's viewers. That figure fell to just 2.6 per cent during the peak viewing time of 6pm to 10.30pm.

The channel served up reruns of River Cottage Autumn - seen by 820,000 - and Gordon Ramsay's Cookalong, against BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor on ITV. None of its programmes reached the million viewer mark.

Apparently folks don't find reheated cooking show repeats too palatable...

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Tuesday 4 November 2008

Saunders Says BBC Too Populist

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:22:00 GMT

French & Saunders might be popular but it's not "populist" enough for the BBC, Jennifer Saunders tells MSN Entertainment.

Along with comedy partner Dawn French, the actress created and starred in a sketch series that ran for an almighty six seasons. But when the actresses asked for a bigger budget for more ambitious material, the Beeb refused. The pair of them have a brilliant working relationship, but Saunders said that "the budgets for that kind of more ambitious stuff just aren't there now".

She laments the fact that the BBC have turned to "populist" programmes because of budget constraints. "They are not making the kind of comedy we used to do - what they want now is populist programmes... We've been stopped from doing a lot of sketches we wanted to do."

The duo have opted for a stage tour rather than another season. Saunders added that she had a gloomy outlook on TV comedy these days, as "that's what comedy on television is all like now. That's partly why we've decided we don't want to carry on, as we can't do what we want to do on television".

We're sorry to hear that the actress is so turned off by the box. Do you think the Beeb budget's well spent on new so-called "populist" projects, or do you prefer the comedians that you know and love?

Ellie Broughton

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Wednesday 22 October 2008

Beeb Ain't So Bubbly

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:40:00 GMT

Apparently even Auntie herself is not immune from the credit crunch. The party's over for BBC employees, as word comes down that they can no longer put champagne on expenses.

According to The Sun, while 1, 800 staff were made redundant last year, the corporation spent �45,000 on champers. Perhaps it was all those leaving dos? In any event, somebody, somewhere, has jonied the dots and the Beeb has put a cork in expenditure.

A memo from finance chief Angela Sergeant decreed that "The cost of champagne will not be met by the BBC in any circumstances."

"We've changed the rules. It just doesn't feel right in the current climate," a BBC spokesman told the paper.

Good news then, license payers: while critics my continue charge the BBC with left-wing bias, at least they can no longer accuse it of champagne socialism!

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Friday 10 October 2008

Spike TV Goes After Irish Mob

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 11:58:00 GMT

The two-hour drama will focus on the fallout when a top Boston mobster quits his position, leaving a power vacuum in which rival factions battle it out for control of the city's streets, writes The Hollywood Reporter.

Dana White and Tom Lynch will produce, while Broken Trail helmsman, Walter Hill, has signed on to direct. White, who is president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and hosts Spike TV series The Ultimate Fighter, lived in Boston for 10 years. He said he came up with the mob drama idea about three years ago and asked Chris Bertolini (The General's Daughter) to pen the script.

He added that he reckons it will be right at home on the cable network: "I know who I'm catering to, and that's 18- to 34-year-old males who are the ones watching Spike TV," said the producer. "We're going to push the limits on this show, like 'Nip/Tuck' and 'The Shield' -- violence, sex, bad language. We're going to see how big Spike's balls are on this one."

Oi, we at Screenrush are not all 18-34 year old males and we're all in favour of a bit of small screen gangster action! Filming begins in Boston this autumn. Only time will tell whether Spike TV's new show will be as sharp as T The Sopranos or just another a TV thorn in our sides.

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Wednesday 8 October 2008

BBC Three "Mirrors" Hollyoaks

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Set in a Manchester hair and beauty acadamey, the BBC Three's latest project, provisionally entitled Mirror Mirror, will take its cue from high octane American teen dramas. According to Digital Spy, the channel hope to challenge Hollyoaks' claim to UK teen soap supremacy with the "glossy and fast-paced" new show.

BBC Three controller Danny Cohen told Broadcast: "If we feel they have made the [script] improvements we hope they will, we should get something green-lit over the next few weeks. It will grow over two to three years, which is partly financial but more about creative issues."

"Mirror, Mirror tells familiar stories about growing up, finding your identity, and love, sex and relationships, but in a very distinctive, visual way, " added the show's producer, Ellen Taylor. "Tonally, it is influenced by American teen drama. It is glossier and faster paced [than traditional UK rivals] and we are taking risks with the structure with lots of jumpcuts, flashbacks and fantasy sequences."

The Beeb have asked for an initial 12x30-minute scripts from a team of young writers, with the order expected to increase to 12 episodes by 2012. Production is expected to commence later this year.

Hmm, we're not convinced that the license payers' is best spent imitating glamourous American shows. The US has Gossip Girl, 90210 and Friday Night Lights. We've got Hollyoaks and The Inbetweeners and Skins. Perhaps we'd be best off leaving trendy teen soaps to the experts. What do you think?

Sarah O'Reilly

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 2 October 2008

BBC And ITV Safe From Phone-In Fraud Investigations

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 11:54:00 GMT

The Serious Fraud Office has declined to investigate BBC and ITV phone-in fraud scandals, even though the City of London and Metropolitan Police forces have left the matter in industry hands, the Telegraph reports.

After several months of contemplating the cases, the SFO announced that it would not be investigating matters because they were not sufficiently "complex" to require its help.

ITV was guilty of defrauding viewers out of almost �8 million in phone-ins that they had no chance of winning. They were fined �5.67m in May by TV watchdog Ofcom. Programs involved in the fruadulent activity involved Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Ant and Dec's Gameshow Marathon and Soapstar Superstar.

The BBC admitted that staff had held back more than �100,000 from charitable organisations such as Children In Need. Money was generated from calls to premium-rate lines after phone voting had closed. The BBC Trust refused to say which programmes were involved but it is speculated that Children In Need, Sport Relief and Comic Relief were on the list.

Politicians are angry that no official body is willing to step forward and investigate the channels. Dan Foster, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture, media and sport called it "an absolute scandal" and added that "if public confidence is to be maintained then we have to have a system in place where matters are properly investigated and people are held to account. Otherwise it just looks like the powers that be are sweeping the issue under the carpet".

So... what do you make of this phone-in sneakery?

Ellie Broughton

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 2 October 2008

"Who" Dares, Wins

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:46:00 GMT

It's the second year in a row that the Beeb's pride and joy has landed the top accolade.

Fellow BBC stablemate, The Apprentice, won the award for best terrestrial show of the year, while BBC Three sitcom, Gavin & Stacey, took the prize for best non-terrestrial show.

All-in-all, Auntie had a very good festival: BBC One was named "channel of the year," also for the second year running, and BBC Three won best digital network.

In fact, it's the first time since 2002 that one broadcaster has taken home all the main prizes.

BBC One was competing against BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five for the main prize, while the other nominees in the multi-channel category were BBC Four, ITV2, Sky One, E4 and Dave.

Looks like our license fees aren't a complete waste of money then...

Sarah O'Reilly with What's On TV

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 25 August 2008

Sky One's "Fringe" Interest...

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 12:27:00 GMT

The channel lost no time in securing exclusive linear TV rights to J.J. Abrams's latest project, which follows the paranormal adventures of a crazy research scientist, his son (played by Joshua Jackson), and the female FBI agent who brings them back together.

"We're delighted to have secured the rights to Fringe, which we believe will thrill a new generation of viewers much like The X Files did 15 years ago," enthused David Smyth, head of acquisitions at Sky One.

"Together with SERIETV cSerie="223" Titre="Lost" TitreOriginal="Lost" Target=""/>, we're honoured to be the home for J.J. Abrams shows here in the UK!"

Fringe premieres Stateside and British viewers can catch it soon after as part of Sky One's new-look lineup for Autumn.

Until then, check out the latest photos from the new series!

Spooky pics!

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Friday 8 August 2008

"Emmerdale" Beats "Eastenders" in Battle of the Soaps!

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:53:00 GMT

Hoards of soap fans tuned into the hourlong, Yorkshire-based Emmerdale: Risky Business , 5.47 million (30.9%) to be exact, beating BBC's EastEnders which took second place with only 5.25m (28.6%).

The ITV1 soap won the spot as the highest rated non-news programme of the day of all the channels. Emmerdale came in on the 7pm slot whereas EastEnders popped up at 7:30. Once 8pm rolled around, BBC took back the torch with Holby City taking the lead at aking 4.92m (25%).

In other ratings updates...

Documentary, Send In The Dogs, brought in 4.1m viewers, (20.9%), for ITV1 while Channel 4 raked in less than half of that with Ten Years Younger coming in at only 1.97m (10%).

BBC Two's new series of Dr Alice Roberts: Don't Die Young started slowly with 1.82m (9.7%) and by the second episode was only able to improve ratings slightly to 1.88m (9.2%).

Bonekickers, BBC One's slow-to-bite new programe, lost another 400,000 pulling the weekly average of 4.25m (19.7%) for the 9pm slot. Despite its slow pull, it won the time slot, beating out Doc Martin repeats on ITV1 which only drew in 3.76m (17.5%).

Gordon Ramsay's The F Word's finale attracted 3.09m (14.3%) for Channel 4.

BBC Two's Jimmy Doherty's Farming Heroes came in at 2.16m (10%) whereas Five got 1.27m (5.9%) for a rerun of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

All in all, EastEnders, on BBC Three, brought in the highest multichannel draw of the day with a repeat coming in with an average of 872,000 (5.1%) at 10pm. Hollyoaks' new episode drew 683,000 (4.7%) to E4, and another 224,000 (1.4%) on E4+1.

Jennifer Bronstein with Digital Spy

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Thursday 31 July 2008

Samantha Morton Directs for Channel 4

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:41:00 GMT

Channel Four have got a trio of heavy-hitters lined up for broadcast early next year...

Oscar nominated actress, Samantha Morton, will make her behind-camera debut directing The Unloved this autumn. Due to be set and shot in her home town of Nottingham, the story centres on a young girl growing up in a children's home.

"I am thrilled to be making my first film with Channel 4, who have constantly pushed boundaries and enabled people like me to have a voice," said Morton, who spent part of her childhood in care. "I hope this film can help make a difference to the young people that see it."

Red Riding, the second project, is set in Yorkshire during the Ripper murders. Andrew Garfield (Boy A), Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings) and Paddy Considine (The Bourne Ultimatum) will star in the trilogy, adapted by Tony Grisoni from David Peace's cult Red Riding Quartet novels.

Last up is another drama about a violent historical moment. Two-parter Palestine will examine the final years of the Mandate in Palestine, linking the lives of Erin, a modern-day teenager on holiday with a wealthy schoolmate in Israel, and her grandfather Len, who was a British peacekeeper in the Middle East in the 1940s.

Keep tuned for further details...

Sarah O'Reilly with Digital Spy

>> Real the whole article | on Screenrush - Monday 28 July 2008