ITV To Rescue Ratings By Resurrecting Classics
ITV is planning to create new versions of several classic drama series in an effort to increase ratings and win back viewers.
The broadcaster has confirmed its intention to create the new programmes, with Inspector Morse, Sharpe and Rumpole of the Bailey understood to be in the planning stages.
A spokeswoman for ITV said: “They are very much in development. In terms of Inspector Morse we have spoken to Kevin Whately, who wants to progress with the project, and the same with Sharpe, Sean Bean has expressed an interest and we’re now sitting down and discussing scripts.”
She added: “We certainly won’t work on any scripts which we don’t think will work, and I am sure neither Kevin Whately or Sean Bean would be putting their names to these projects if they didn’t think they would be successful. It’s building on formulas which we know already work and taking them into the future.”
Of the three titles being mooted, a reprise of Inspector Morse could prove the most popular, but would also be the trickiest to accomplish following lead actor John Thaw’s death. However, it is understood that the new series would instead centre on the Inspector’s sidekick, Sergeant Lewis, played by Kevin Whately.
The news follows a similar announcement last week that ITV is planning a number of spin-off series to build on the popularity of its soap and serial drama portfolio. The broadcaster is understood to have commissioned scripts from programme maker Thames Television for spin-off series of the Bill entitled Sun Hill General and centering on the fictional St Hughes hospital featured in the long running police drama (see NewsLine).
The new drama series’ may be a further reaction by ITV to falling audiences in its early evening time slots. The broadcaster has struggled to plug the tea-time ratings gap since losing Home and Away to Five and 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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