ITV Discussion Thread

Couple of nice behind the scenes videos from a certain Mr Phillip Schofield on the set of Dancing on Ice over at http://www.officialphillipschofield.com/category/video

I think that would look quite nice as an ident - particularly a regional one for the ITV regions that cover rural areas - it's almost like the old BBC ONE idents but without the balloon!

Well, I'm not surprised it has lasted for so long. I believe it's perfect Sunday evening programming: Undemanding, gentle and good mix of drama vs humour; there's little violence in it, and no swearing-- so family-friendly. It's set in beautiful countryside, has likeable characters and takes place the Swinging Sixties (albeit through slightly rose-tinted nostalgiac spectacles!)

As a consequence, I can why it's always enjoyed good ratings over the years-- not sure about the past couple of years though? Although if one goes to Goathland, it's always full of tourists!

Despite it be 'Groundhog Year' stuck in 1969¬, I've always enjoyed watching the show-- and I'm sad to see it go.

¬It started in 1962 I believe, moving in 'real time' until it got to 1969-- and got stuck!

I think that was the programme's problem. It didn't progress past 1969. You may not have been able to keep the original Heartbeat format going into the 70s, but surely the move in the 70s would have been ideal for the team to move across to a new show, retaining familiarity but also giving it a bit of a chance to reinvent itself slightly. Moving into the 70s would have given it a new element rather than becoming a little stale as it has in recent years.

You're all talking as if it's been axed. AIUI they've just stopped making any for a while so they can catch up on broadcasting the ones that haven't been shown due to other things being put in the slot.

Unless it has been axed and this catch up business is just a guise. Either way I'm not too fussed about Heartbeat.

I don't understand what difference it would make to set it in 1970. Did everything suddenly change at the start of the new decade?!

What a mess ITV was tonight. 2 problems during the final 5 minutes of the footy. there was a long breakdown caption from about 10:46 to about 10:56. There was a VT clock halfway too, and went straight into the news.

If you're living in wales, the 'Wales' ident caption is still on screen

Fair point, but didn't ITV say the same of Peak Practice in 2001-- shortly before it was axed altogether? So we could be forgiven being suspicious at ITV's motives.



Well no, I imagine it didn't. However as you would progress into the 1970s, things change. I think a main part of the appeal with Heartbeat is the 1960s setting/fashion/music-- perhaps the show's producers fear (rightly or wrongly) the show will lose popularity if it loses its 1960s chique?

I'm not sure if moving into the 1970s would decrease the shows fanbase; it didn't do Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes any harm-- although was that why changed the title?

Yeah I think it was obviously so. Trouble with Heartbeat is they've gone for so long calling it that - they aren't willing to do the same thing. The Royal came along as a spin-off but was also based in the 1960s. They should have created a new show with the same characters but based in the 70s I agree.

During the credits to The Unforgettable Larry Grayson the announcer mentioned "Saturday nights in 2009 are made no less lively by Ant and Dec, this place is awash with activity. They're back with the Takeaway..." Nice reference that will have gone over the heads of almost everyone listening. Guess TLS won't be the home for continuity for much longer.

I would imagine "almost everyone" wouldn't care anyway

Interesting to see that Saturday Night Takeaway was credited to ITV Studios Ltd, even though it was still followed by the ITV Productions ident.

Same old ITV then.