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Top of The Pops Thread

Relaunch on Friday 28th Nov 2003 - Will Andy do justice? (September 2003)

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PO
Pootle5
Media Guardian reports: "Top of the Pops has lost millions of viewers since its relaunch five months ago.
But the BBC insists the long-running show is not on death's door, even though it is now attracting fewer than three million viewers.

Friday's edition of Top of the Pops, presented by Tim Kash and featuring acts including Christina Milian and Lost Prophets, was watched by just 2.6 million viewers and attracted a 13% audience share between 7.30pm and 8pm, according to unofficial overnights.

Top of the Pops relaunched in late November with a 60-minute special that attracted 5.5 million viewers - a quarter of the audience. A week later, and back at 30 minutes long in the tough 7.30pm slot against Coronation Street, it was still watched by 4.3 million.

The audience for the relaunch show was no doubt boosted by appearances from Kylie Minogue, Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John.

But Top of the Pops has been unable to maintain the ratings revival it achieved with its relaunch. In the past month the show has averaged 2.7 million viewers and a 13% audience share.

Back in November, prior to the TOTP relaunch, the show was averaging 4.1 million viewers and a 19% audience share. And in April last year the programme's audience across the month was 3.1 million.

The BBC head of entertainment, Wayne Garvie, said TOTP "felt like a big music show" and added that its audience reach - the number of people tuning in for at least five minutes - was fine, although he admitted the ratings were "not wonderful".

Mr Garvie said the BBC had already added Fearne Cotton to the show as a regular presenter to alternate with Kash.

"What's important is that the show looks and feels like a big music show. [Audience] reach is fine. The ratings are not wonderful - we'd like the figures to be better. But we're genuinely happy about how it's doing," he added.

"The show also depends on what music is around. At the moment there's not a lot of music out there that's breaking through to the mainstream. It's a problem for the music industry as well. In the autumn and at other times of the year it's better, so ratings will pick up."

For its relaunch Top of the Pops departed from a rigid adherence to the singles chart for the first time in its 40-year history.

As well as showcasing acts from the top 40, the show now features performances from artists whose records are being played on radio stations in advance of their release.

Andi Peters, the former children's TV presenter who oversaw the Top of the Pops revamp as executive editor of the BBC's music programmes, also brought in Kash from MTV to host the new-look show."


Not at all surprising, I liked the new graphics but the show is now just rubbish.

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CO
Colm
No point in me replying to the MediaGuardian article as I've already ranted over on the BBC TOTP boards about it...

I knew that once the honeymoon period for ALL NEW TOTP! was over it would go back to poor ratings and threats of the axe. And what are the BBC doing about it? Sitting back and doing nothing.

btw, Steve Wright is back on TOTP2 at his irritating worst, talking over records, making fun of the artists (leave Martin Gore of Depeche Mode alone, at least he HAS talent and doesn't look like Mackenzie Crook of The Office!), bits of songs being repeated over again (a few verses of the Rebel MC song were played over again) and pointless captions of little relevance.
LL
Lottie Long-Legs
Col posted:
Looking at the show's lineup, another week for the charvs:

Arrow Eamon "F*** It"

Arrow Boogie Pimps "Sunny" (two out of two in the chart... and that's all you'll get)

Arrow Jay Z "Dirt Off Your Shoulder"

Arrow Kurt Neilson "She's So High" (not a Blur cover)

Arrow Kevin Lyttle "Last Drop"

Arrow Peter Andre "Insania" Evil or Very Mad

Arrow OutKast "Roses"

At least there's no Busted on this week Smile


Awesome. Remind me to miss it again.

Point to note, however, granted we're probably sick to the back teeth of Busted anyway, but them and The Streets especially - the two highest new entries of the week but neither included in the line-up.

And LMAO at the quotes from the TOTP spokesman in the other post above. Did he read that off one of Tim Kash's scripts - it seems to include the same amount of bulls**t?!
CO
Colm
The Streets were definitely on TOTP a few weeks ago, I think Busted were too.

Both songs are overplayed as it is, probably why TOTP decided not to include them on this week's line up.
:-(
A former member
Has anyone noticed that awful 'freeze-frame' style shot TOTP are using tonight to the beat of the music in the first two songs.? ...or is it just my DSat picture? Confused:
CD
cdukjunkie
wipeout posted:
Has anyone noticed that awful 'freeze-frame' style shot TOTP are using tonight to the beat of the music in the first two songs.? ...or is it just my DSat picture? Confused:


Nope,it was'nt just you!! I have to say I actually thought that effect was quite good.... Embarassed
:-(
A former member
cdukjunkie posted:
wipeout posted:
Has anyone noticed that awful 'freeze-frame' style shot TOTP are using tonight to the beat of the music in the first two songs.? ...or is it just my DSat picture? Confused:


Nope,it was'nt just you!! I have to say I actually thought that effect was quite good.... Embarassed


Wasn't bad - just felt slightly over-used.... wasnt used again after thaT! Laughing
:-(
A former member
For a project on my school i'm looking for the original font of the TOTP show these days. Could anybody help me with it?
Please reply on my personal email adres or send me a link where I can find it.
pim_0@lycos.nl
Thnx a lot! Wink
BE
benjy
According to Digital Spy, Tim Kash is to be axed from the TOTP! Potential replacements include Fearne Cotton (who is already presenting anyway!), and Dermot O'Leary. I'd go Dermot - I think he could bring the show back up to scratch. If they must, let Fearne present with him as she's not that bad.
LL
Lottie Long-Legs
Give the job to Scott Mills - he deserves something for the way Radio 1 seem to treat him, and he's done a good job presenting the show in the past.
CO
Colm
On last Friday's show, Fearne outshined Tim in terms of presenting. Tim has to go - he's become extremely wooden.

The best way forward for TOTP is to have a wider choice of presenters - not just three, but around 10, and change the presenter week in week out. Bring back some of the Radio 1 DJs as hosts (Jo Whiley, Scott Mills, Colin and Edith), also Richard Bacon who had improved a lot over 2003 hosting TOTP, as well as taking on new hosts, not from the CBBC department but those who are passionate about music and know their stuff about it.

Hopefully this week's TOTP will be an improvement, the Beastie Boys live in the studio for the first time and a high chance of Morrissey now he's reached a chart career peak of Number 3 Very Happy

Hmm, I got through a message about who should present TOTP without mentioning the words John and Peel in the same sentence... oh.
CC
CyberCD
Yep, definately. Radio 1 is the answer. Any of them. Except Sara Cox. Hate her.

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