ITV Planning Soap Spin-Offs To Boost Autumn Schedule

ITV is planning a raft of early-evening soap spin-off programmes to boost flagging tea-time ratings, building on the success of popular soaps such as The Bill and Coronation Street.

The broadcaster is understood to have commissioned scripts from programme maker Thames Television for a Bill spin-off entitled Sun Hill General, centering on the fictional St Hughes hospital featured in many episodes of the long running police drama.

ITV’s early evening schedules are understood to have been in trouble for a while, with its mix of programmes unable to compete with Channel 4’s Richard & Judy or BBC1’s Neighbours. ITV’s troubles began with the loss of tea-time stalwart, Home and Away to Five and were compounded by the failure of Crossroads which was axed for a second time last year.

ITV had a difficult first six months of this year, with its audience share falling by 2.1% to 23.3%. However, the channel has been boosted by record viewing figures for its coverage of the Euro 2004 football championships (see 20.7 Million Watch England Lose Out To France).

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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