Perdita
09-10-2009, 06:02
The BBC is facing further scheduling controversy after moving an episode of Casualty to a Sunday night - putting it head to head with The X Factor.
BBC1 was already under fire from viewers after putting Strictly Come Dancing directly against the ITV talent show on Saturday evenings.
Now it plans to shift an episode of the popular hospital drama, which normally goes out on Saturdays, to Sunday October 18, when The X Factor results show is on.
The corporation says it had to make the move because of obligations to show qualifying sessions for the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix.
There would not be enough time to show the motor racing, Strictly and Casualty before Match of The Day.
The shakeup also means there will be no episode of Merlin on October 17 or Antiques Roadshow the following night.
The move comes after the new series of Strictly Come Dancing has been scheduled head to head with the The X Factor.
Viewers claimed that the corporation was ruining their Saturday night viewing and even BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons was critical.
The F1 qualifying coverage means Strictly Come Dancing will start at 7.15pm with the National Lottery at 9.25pm and the news ten minutes later.
Casualty will be replaced by a repeat of Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.
'On the Sunday Casualty will begin at 8.10pm, while the X Factor results show is due to go out between 7.45pm and 9pm.
The BBC is claiming that the move is a one-off to accommodate the motor-racing coverage.
A spokesman said: 'Casualty has clashed with The X Factor many times before on Saturday nights. On this occasion the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday means the schedule has changed and the show will be moved to Sunday and Merlin will have a break for a week.
'Casualty moves occasionally to make way for certain sporting events or other pieces of programming which come into the schedule and can't be moved. We knew it was happening and planned for it. This is the best solution for our audience.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219163/BBC-clash-controversy-Now-Casualty-versus-X-Factor.html#ixzz0TPaqN6V9
BBC1 was already under fire from viewers after putting Strictly Come Dancing directly against the ITV talent show on Saturday evenings.
Now it plans to shift an episode of the popular hospital drama, which normally goes out on Saturdays, to Sunday October 18, when The X Factor results show is on.
The corporation says it had to make the move because of obligations to show qualifying sessions for the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix.
There would not be enough time to show the motor racing, Strictly and Casualty before Match of The Day.
The shakeup also means there will be no episode of Merlin on October 17 or Antiques Roadshow the following night.
The move comes after the new series of Strictly Come Dancing has been scheduled head to head with the The X Factor.
Viewers claimed that the corporation was ruining their Saturday night viewing and even BBC chairman Sir Michael Lyons was critical.
The F1 qualifying coverage means Strictly Come Dancing will start at 7.15pm with the National Lottery at 9.25pm and the news ten minutes later.
Casualty will be replaced by a repeat of Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow.
'On the Sunday Casualty will begin at 8.10pm, while the X Factor results show is due to go out between 7.45pm and 9pm.
The BBC is claiming that the move is a one-off to accommodate the motor-racing coverage.
A spokesman said: 'Casualty has clashed with The X Factor many times before on Saturday nights. On this occasion the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday means the schedule has changed and the show will be moved to Sunday and Merlin will have a break for a week.
'Casualty moves occasionally to make way for certain sporting events or other pieces of programming which come into the schedule and can't be moved. We knew it was happening and planned for it. This is the best solution for our audience.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1219163/BBC-clash-controversy-Now-Casualty-versus-X-Factor.html#ixzz0TPaqN6V9