ITV Announces Winter ’97 Schedule

ITV announced plans today for its Winter ’97 schedule, with spending in the region of £210 million. Network Director Marcus Plantin outlined the aim for the coming season which we are promised is ITV’s strongest schedule.

Mr Plantin spoke of his six point plan which he believes will keep ITV as “Britain’s favourite button”. More new drama will be the main focus, with moves also to develop TV ‘events’, such as Monarchy – The Nation Decides which is heralded as supposedly the world’s largest current affairs debate. More comedy and sport will feature alongside further imports of both US films and series as well as the development of the soap genre. It has already been announced that Coronation Street will run to four episodes, the intention being to draw story lines to a climax on a Sunday night as part of a revenge plan upon its arch rival Eastenders. A third edition of Emmerdale is also planned.

Drama will continue to be the main focus with an £80 million package – the most ever spent by the network. It will feature 12 new projects encompassing all genres. Classic adaptations of Rebecca, starring Charles Dance, Emilia Fox and Diana Rigg, and Jane Eyre with Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds in the lead roles will complement contemporary stories such as Lynda La Plante’s Supply and Demand (which features Freddie Starr in his first dramatic role) and the psychological thriller Element Of Doubt, starring Nigel Havers and Gina Mckee. Peak Practice, A Touch Of Frost, Taggart and The Knock will all return. Mr. Plantin describes these as the “heavy hitters which no other channel can match”. Following recent success, London’s Burning is to be extended into the winter for the first time, with the hope that it will maintain a stranglehold over the BBC.

Comedy is well represented in the new season with three brand new series. Holding the Baby stars Nick Hancock as a confused ‘new age’ father. True Love sees the return of Emma Wray to a major role as a single mum looking for romance, and Loved By You stars John Gordon Sinclair and Trevyn McDowell trying to settle into their new lives as a married couple. ITV is to continue its break from the traditional sitcom format with a series of new hour-long comedy films including The Grimleys, starring Jack Dee, Nigel Planer and Noddy Holder.

ITV: 0171 843 8000