PA
Perhaps too early, but never mind! 84 days to go! 
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043743/ITV-prepare-Downton-Abbey-special-BBC-Christmas-ratings-war.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Interested to see if ITV have the balls to put up a serious fight this year. Downton Abbey in a Corrie sandwich would be pretty interesting, I saw that floated about on other sites. There seems to be a growing consensus the BBC are being lazy at Christmas with the same old format of Doctor Who, Strictly, EastEnders and the Royle Family. From reports, it appears this year is no different.
Also regarding presentation, as ever eager to see what the BBC do - but in recent years ITV have done a really nice job (I preferred ITV's pres last year).
Videos of last year's presentation from ITV1 and BBC One.
Interested to hear others' views on this year's schedules and presentation. Feel free to contribute your favourite videos from the past too!
Quote:
ITV are set to knock the BBC off their Christmas ratings winning streak, by showing a feature length special of their hit show Downton Abbey.
If rivals ITV are successful this will be the first time in decade that BBC will not come out on top.
The drama which scooped four Emmy awards at the LA based award show earlier this month, including best miniseries, directing, writing and supporting actress, beat off strong competition from US Drama shows.
ITV who reportedly plan to show a 90 minute feature of Downton Abbey on Christmas day, which stars Hugh Bonneville, have ruffled the BBC schedulers feathers.
ITV have only managed to beat the BBC in their Christmas day peak time showings twice in over 20 years.
A spokesperson for ITV told the Mail Online: 'We have confirmed that there will be a special of Downton Abbey during the festive period, but we have not confirmed which day it will be scheduled on or the length of the episode yet.'
If rivals ITV are successful this will be the first time in decade that BBC will not come out on top.
The drama which scooped four Emmy awards at the LA based award show earlier this month, including best miniseries, directing, writing and supporting actress, beat off strong competition from US Drama shows.
ITV who reportedly plan to show a 90 minute feature of Downton Abbey on Christmas day, which stars Hugh Bonneville, have ruffled the BBC schedulers feathers.
ITV have only managed to beat the BBC in their Christmas day peak time showings twice in over 20 years.
A spokesperson for ITV told the Mail Online: 'We have confirmed that there will be a special of Downton Abbey during the festive period, but we have not confirmed which day it will be scheduled on or the length of the episode yet.'
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043743/ITV-prepare-Downton-Abbey-special-BBC-Christmas-ratings-war.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Interested to see if ITV have the balls to put up a serious fight this year. Downton Abbey in a Corrie sandwich would be pretty interesting, I saw that floated about on other sites. There seems to be a growing consensus the BBC are being lazy at Christmas with the same old format of Doctor Who, Strictly, EastEnders and the Royle Family. From reports, it appears this year is no different.
Also regarding presentation, as ever eager to see what the BBC do - but in recent years ITV have done a really nice job (I preferred ITV's pres last year).
Videos of last year's presentation from ITV1 and BBC One.
Interested to hear others' views on this year's schedules and presentation. Feel free to contribute your favourite videos from the past too!
