Sport And Factual Focus For ITV1’s Autumn Line-Up
ITV1’s autumn line-up was unveiled to the industry this afternoon, revealing the best bits of drama, comedy, factual and sport, which will air on the flagship channel over the coming months.
During a drawn-out ceremony at Television Centre in London, director of television at ITV, Simon Shaps, discussed and showcased the highlights in the commercial broadcaster’s calendar, saying that ITV’s “absolute focus” was on “rebuilding ITV1”.
New executive chairman, Michael Grade (see BBC Chairman Jumps Ship To ITV Top Job), was present, and many of the new commissions appeared to show his influence and desire for innovative and diverse programming.
The old money-spinners were there – from I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! through to The X-Factor, which lynchpin Simon Cowell said was “freshened up” with the addition of a new category (see Louis Walsh Returns To The X-Factor), judge, and presenter, Dermot O’Leary (see Dermot Has The X Factor).
It was in the entertainment sector where things took a bizarre turn – Elton John riding a spaceship, talking to a floating head of the Princess of Wales in Elton John: Me, Myself and I – a somewhat sycophantic biopic of the rocket man complete with “cutting edge” and, frankly, ridiculous special effects.
However, there were some obvious moves away from ITV1’s somewhat populist past, with factual programming a focal point for the coming months. A documentary following JK Rowling as she completes the final instalment of the Harry Potter series will surely be a ratings winner, whilst Commando: The Front Line follows troops through a gruelling eight-month training regime to the moment they face battle on the Afghanistan frontline.
Another quality commission comes in the shape of an exploration of the lives of an elderly couple, and how Alzheimer’s disease has destroyed their lives and the love they once shared. Malcolm and Barbara: Love’s Farewell promises to be an incredibly moving piece of television – more along the lines of what one would expect from the BBC or Channel 4.
Other highlights include a “21 up” on a wide range of South African children, and a series where comedian/actor Robbie Coltrane follows the b-roads of Britain to uncover the weird and wacky in our off-the-beaten-track towns.
A selection of remakes – from a modern reworking of Frankenstein, through to A Room With A View and Dickens – and new Marple, mean that overall ITV1’s autumn is looking bright.
The broadcaster has also excelled itself in the area of sport. The jewel in its crown sits with the IRB Rugby World Cup, whilst Champions League football coverage is sure to get crucial viewers and ad revenue for the station.
Shaps also announced that ITV has just signed to show the next six fights of boxing star Amir Khan.
Despite continuing to roll out the likes of Ant and Dec in their various incarnations, and shows like Hell’s Kitchen, ITV1 has secured a more interesting and diverse line up for the forthcoming season, with new programmes promising to carry on Grade’s and Shaps’ vision of reinvigorating Britain’s biggest commercial broadcaster.
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