The ITV spring/summer schedule will only have 30 hours of repeats, claimed Marcus Plantin, ITV Network Director this morning. The new season introduces many new programmes, particularly in the entertainment area. 90% of all peak time viewing will be new, previously unseen programmes. This emphasis follows the heavy criticism which the BBC attracted last summer for the high quantity of repeats.
The highlight of the £152m season, according to Plantin, is a behind-the-scene documentary following the life of Prince Charles. Jonathan Dimbleby and Christopher Martin have spent more than a year with the Prince. The two-hour film will be shown at 8pm on 29th June. To coincide with this, there is also a documentary series called The Windsors, which charts the history of the royal family.
Highlights of the drama series include a 4-part series starring Derek Jacobi, called Cadfael. Jacobi is a medieval monk who solves murder mysteries, based on the novels by Ellis Peters.
Other drama series new for the season include Wycliffe, a detective series set in Cornwall. Sean Bean is the army officer Richard Sharpe in Sharpe, a series of romantic adventures set in Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. The season also sees new series of Frank Stubbs Promotes, Firm Friends and Medics.
In the entertainment area there is a new game show called Scavengers, presented by John Leslie. Members of the public have to escape an abandoned space ship; it is billed as the most expensive futuristic game show ever. Bodyheat, hosted by Sally Gunnell and Jeremy Guscott will search for Britain’s fittest man and woman, and will, according to Plantin, “make Mr Motivator look like Mr Bean.” There is also a television version of the popular play An Evening With Gary Lineker. New comedy series include House of Windsor set below stairs in the Palace and the 10%ers, set in a talent agency. Chris Evans comes to the network, presenting the ITV Movie Awards.
Sporting highlights, besides the World Cup, The Big Fight, the Europa Athletics Cup and Rugby.
