Why just point out ITV's bad points?

Note: Where the use of "you" is used in this thread, it is not targetted at everybody, just those obsessed with slagging off ITV.

OK, I'm not ITV's biggest fan but this thread will probably make it sound as though I am. But its something thats been really annoying me for a while!

All people seem to be doing here (and digital spy etc) these days is pointing out ITV's bad points yet saying good and bad points about other channels. A lot of people only point out the poor shows getting bad ratings like Sharon Osbourne etc yet when it comes to doing a full on slagging off post of ITV, the shows like X Factor, Dancing on Ice, Coronation Street, Emmerdale etc that all recieve between 6 and 11 million viewers per episode are never mentioned. You all complain that all of the output on ITV is 'dire' as most people put it.

Last week, Jayne Eyre on BBC1 was beaten badly by ITV1's revival of Cracker. Did anybody mention it? No. If Jane was on ITV1 and Cracker on BBC1, there would have been hundreds of threads with titles such as:

"Yet another nail in the coffin of ITV"
"ITV gets smashed in the ratings yet again!"
etc ...

Those people who constantly bash ITV really need to begin to sort their heads out. If its so bad then why watch it at all? Also, people who enjoy ITV need to not be afraid of other peoples comments and post good things about ITV and about their success's etc.

If ITV was really that bad, then why is ITV2 the most watched digital channel along with ITV3 and Men & Motors constantly getting high ratings? As well as CiTV already being an established kids channel with a good solid audience.

Where ITV might not be the strongest network, its not actually as bad as everyone makes out.

everyone likes ITV3 it the best of the lot!

ITV1 the flagship channel that where the isses are

theres not that many problems, its just that some people are too stubborn to watch because it could ruin them in some way so it suffers in ratings. the output is actually quite good, there are some decent shows in there, they just need a few axing and a few bringing in.

Because it is a creatively bankrupt network, constantly churning out one-hour soap specials and crap reality shows instead of some variety in the schedules.

It broadcasts pretty much the same themed shows (not format) as other channels yet theyre ok for you

Here are my ITV good points:

ITV 1 - afterlife | The Bill | Coronation Street

ITV 2 - Judge Judy

ITV 3 - Rumpole | Poirot

ITV 4 - ?

I wouldn't class myself as an ITV basher, in fact if there was something on ITV I thought was first class I would shout from the rooftops about it. But sadly, ITV is now simply a cash cow with very little interest in its prime function which is providing a multi-layered selection of decent programming.

Its one main goal is making money but because the majority of its programmes are sub-standard the advertisers simply aren't interested. So what do they do to rectify this, improve programming? No, they slide even deeper into that scrapped barrel by cutting back on all the fundamentals like Children's television, show us three to four hours of mind numbing tack each evening in a thinly disguised quiz show and prop up the handful of hits they do have with even more episodes of Soap. Where the hell is the money going that ITV Play generates? But it doesn't make it past Boardroom level?

The only thing ITV has got going for them is their selection of digital offerings, it's just shame it's flagship channel has lost the plot.

If ITV turned around tomorrow and said, right, next Autumn's schedule includes: Comedy, Variety, Gameshows, Educational programming etc then I for one would give them the benefit of the doubt and watch it all. I live in hope that one day they will come to their senses.

I do actually agree there, but there is more 'good' programming than people think

Random I know but during the day, I think ITV Play should show gameshows such as Price is Right, "All New Family Fortunes" (coming soon) etc etc anmd maybe even repeats of the gameshow marathon ...

And another thing, what would you all think if ITV were to put CiTV on ITV3? Showing classic CiTV shows such as Tiswas, SMTV, Zap, etc

ITV Play is not a channel in the conventional sense, it's an alternative source of revenue, repeats of gameshows aren't going to bring in the 75p's per call.

I think ITV Play would be an excellent platform for all the returning "classic quizzes" including the little watched new version of Bullseye. They could air on Play first then find there way over to ITV1. Also agree with your CITV suggestion, this time originals shown on ITV1 first then a chance to chance up again on the CITV channel. ITV4 and Men & Motors could easily merge to become one hell of a beefed up Men's channel. There's enough lifestyle and celeb crud to fill a new Woman's channel living ITV2 to pick up some of ITV1's tacky chav related programming. This would leave ITV to fill it's schedule with what we all want, a bit of variety! Simple really!

As for revenue.... like I said ITV is supposed to make money out of advertising it doesn't need to rely on 75p calls. Beside, this kind of programme could be shown from 12am-12pm, on ITV Play, with alternative games over on ITV2. None of it needs to be on ITV1, especially when the digital switchover is complete.

ITV does have some failings as do all the other channels. However there are some excellent programmes on ITV such as Coronation Street, The X Factor, Parkinson, The South Bank Show etc.

Good question - answers on a postcard please!


Cracker is part of the problem with ITV1 at the moment - far too many one-offs and not enough long running series.

Take The Outsiders for example - promoted endlessly in recent weeks and for what - one ninety minute episode! ITV just aren't taking the risks at the moment - and their commissioning shows it!

And whoever thought signing up Trinny and Susannah was a good idea needs shooting!