NJ
Surely a Tuesday night would be ideal?
Depends, though Digital Spy seems to suggest a three way simulcast is going to happen and that the football apparently inconveniences Sky, even though the debate would be on Sky News and not Sky Sports.
Neil Jones
Founding member
1) The ITV1 debate will end up on a non-football night, and/or a non-Corrie night. Which realistically means it's destined for a Sunday night slot.
Surely a Tuesday night would be ideal?
Depends, though Digital Spy seems to suggest a three way simulcast is going to happen and that the football apparently inconveniences Sky, even though the debate would be on Sky News and not Sky Sports.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/news/a199037/tv-debates-face-football-scheduling-clash.html posted:
Each broadcaster's 90-minute programme would be run at peak time, with Wednesday the most likely scheduling day under current plans.
As polling for the election is widely believed to be locked down for May 6, the debates would therefore run on April 14 on ITV, April 21 for Sky and April 28 for the BBC.
However, Sky and the BBC's debate programmes would clash with the two-legged Champions League semi-final potentially featuring involvement from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Sky and ITV also plan to televise the games.
Switching the debates to Tuesday would equally cause problems as both semi-final clashes alternate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays for each week.
Scheduling the debates is further complicated because the outcome of English clubs in the quarter-finals will not be known until April 6, giving limited time for planning or promotion.
Holding the debates on a Thursday would equally clash with the Europa League semi-finals, with English teams Liverpool, Everton and Fulham all still in contention.
As Friday and Saturday prime time slots are unfeasible and unsuitable, that leaves just Sunday and Monday left for ITV and Sky to work with.
As polling for the election is widely believed to be locked down for May 6, the debates would therefore run on April 14 on ITV, April 21 for Sky and April 28 for the BBC.
However, Sky and the BBC's debate programmes would clash with the two-legged Champions League semi-final potentially featuring involvement from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Sky and ITV also plan to televise the games.
Switching the debates to Tuesday would equally cause problems as both semi-final clashes alternate between Tuesdays and Wednesdays for each week.
Scheduling the debates is further complicated because the outcome of English clubs in the quarter-finals will not be known until April 6, giving limited time for planning or promotion.
Holding the debates on a Thursday would equally clash with the Europa League semi-finals, with English teams Liverpool, Everton and Fulham all still in contention.
As Friday and Saturday prime time slots are unfeasible and unsuitable, that leaves just Sunday and Monday left for ITV and Sky to work with.
