ITV axe 2009 National TV Awards

Cost blamed of course - ITV claiming they can't justify the £1m is costs to stage the event. Don't worry though, viewers won't notice such cuts according to Michael Grade.

If they're going to axe award shows wouldn't they be better off starting with the Soap Awards. The NTAs have established themselves as a popular equivalent of the BAFTAs in the last decade or so, and once again ITV are only considering the short-term savings rather than the long term costs. I'm sure savings could be made without axing it immediately - firstly by moving it from the Royal Albert Hlal!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article2338891.ece

Could another broadcaster pick it up?

UPDATE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/mar/25/itv-axes-national-movie-awards
Guardian report the Movie Awards will be axed, with the TV awards delayed until January 2010 to help balance the books for 2009.

I doubt anyone else would want to do it.

I think you've answered your own question when it comes to NTAs vs British Soap Awards. Whilst the NTAs kind of cover the same territory as the BAFTA TV awards (though a bit lower rent), the soap awards are unique.

Thats a nice big ITV logo on that page

Personally I can't see it airing - perhaps Sky One may take it but I doubt it.

No doubt Grade won't show the Comedy Awards again this year if this is the way things are going...although last time Grade was just being a greedy so and so!

It wouldn't really be a major loss - they're too soap dominated anyway. The Bafta's for thick people.

I think the BBC may be interested in it. I read somewhere that ITV's contract to show the awards had run out after last year so the ceremony was up for bidders to express interest. As it is a ratings puller, it would make sense for the beeb to show it after all, it is not an awards ceremony devised by ITv anyway. I also seem to remember reading that the Royal Variety Performance is to be screened by the beeb again this year for the first time consecutively. Since the 1980's it has alternated between BBC and ITV. However it was reported (sorry but I really can't remember where...memories not like it used to be, but when I remember and find the original story I'll let you know) that ITV didn't want to invest any money on it this year.

As has been mentioned before, it's quite similar in nature to the TV Baftas, so I don't know if the Beeb would be interested. I could see it being something Five might go for though, as it would probably draw a good audience and a bit of prestige for them. I guess it all comes down to the cost though.

That doesn't sound right, it was an ITV invention not a stand alone event like the BAFTAs

As for Sky and Five... if ITV can't afford to make it they won't be able to

To be honest this is exactly the kind of thing that ITV should be axing if they're short on cash. It serves as nothing but a pat on the back and a free p*ssup for all the celebs. If you want serious awards, you want a BAFTA.

A couple of years ago it wouldn't have surprised me, but now with a slot being the prize on Britain's Got Talent, one of ITV's biggest shows, you'd think they'd be keen to support it.

I know the TV BAFTAs used to alternate too, and I guess it would be ITV's turn this year as IIRC the BBC had them last year - but have they passed on those too?

Seems that way - although if they were still alternating this would have been the BBC's year anyway. This will be the third consecutive year that they've aired on the BBC. It was never a ratings winner for ITV though - mainly because they used to show it the night after when everyone already knew the results.

I prefer the Soap Awards out of the two.

Corrie never seem to do well at the NTA's but its usually about 50/50 at the soap awards. Also its boring with the same people winning year after year at the NTA - Doctor Who, Ant and Dec *yawn*

No huge loss.