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**JHyde** · (This post was last modified: 07-09-2011 09:01 AM by JHyde.)

If the BBC puts Spooks up against Downton in the Sunday night showdown then they deserve to get slaughtered in the ratings.

I'm not saying Downton is better than Spooks (Downton's derivative; at the same time I *hated* Spooks season 9) but it's a proven ratings killer. More fool them.

molecatcher · 07-09-2011, 10:49 AM

If it is to air on a Sunday evening I completely get the reasoning. The BBC knows it can't compete with Downton Abbey and also that Spooks fans can watch the repeat later in the week or BBCi player, record it or purchase the DVD and as it's the last series they have nothing to prove any more regarding its popularity whereas a new drama series would get slaughtered before most bothered to view it. Also, as someone mentioned somewhere there's now ITV1 or whatever it's called running an hour later so no one loses out.

Tess24 · 07-09-2011, 02:31 PM

And so it is...BBC1 Sunday 18th September 9pm is Spooks time.

**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 07-09-2011 03:44 PM by A Cousin.)

(07-09-2011 08:55 AM)JHyde Wrote: If the BBC puts Spooks up against Downton in the Sunday night showdown then they deserve to get slaughtered in the ratings.

I am just not fully convinced that the general and average demographics for DA and Spooks cross over enough to take that big a bite out of either. Besides, if Spooks does manage to take a bite out of DA, DA will suffer more for it. Spooks has nothing to lose.

The thought did occur to me that maybe the BBC is doing it on purpose to see if Spooks can reasonably hold its own? If it does, the optimist in me would like to believe that that may inform future decisions re: a 2-hour movie or two? Maybe? Please?

I found DA to be a bit melodramatic, but watch it because I like the cast. And, ironically enough, its what's on Masterpiece Theater on a Sunday night. However, I am very glad that it is a decision I do not have to make. So I feel for all of you who do have to choose!

(07-09-2011 10:49 AM)molecatcher Wrote: If it is to air on a Sunday evening I completely get the reasoning....and as it's the last series they have nothing to prove any more regarding its popularity whereas a new drama series would get slaughtered before most bothered to view it.

^Another great point from a marketing perspective.

Forever Secret · (This post was last modified: 07-09-2011 04:32 PM by Forever Secret.)

I agree with you 100% there A Cousin,
Spooks has nothing left to lose, it would've mattered about ratings really, even if the BBC get satisfaction out of winning a ratings war, they don't need the views to lean back on now, so they can attempt to recommission it for a S11 Wink

If S10 hadn't been announced as the last and there was a chance another Series would happen, I'd presume that Spooks would have taken the 22nd of September slot and the BBC wouldn't have put anything really to challenge Downton Wink

I agree with you too molecatcher An upcoming Drama would stand no chance at all against Downton as its already an established show, a new Drama would need to draw people in and get good ratings in hope it'll continue Smile

So it's understandable the BBC felt Spooks could well go up against DA, since Spooks is an already popular show with a following of fans behind it who'll watch it, and perhaps being the last Series more people will take their chances to watch Spooks (hopefully) go out with a 'bang' (To put it in Kudos's words Wink

)

As you say A Cousin, maybe Spooks can stand on its own, and if it can, we could be hopeful for perhaps a one off episode or something similar? We can only hope Wink

Luckily I haven't watched (And probably wont watch) DA, at least until Spooks is over, but there are quite a few fans of both shows around, and they have a tough choice to make.
Best thing about DA is it replays on ITV +1 at 10pm, so people can watch Spooks and then switch over.
Although Spooks does also show on Replay on BBCOne on Monday at 11:05pm, would those views count to towards the viewing figures for S10?

Tea Lady · 07-09-2011, 05:15 PM

I think we can come up with a 100 theories why the BBC placed Spooks where it has. It still doesn't make sense to me, I have to admit. The BBC have always been behind Spooks so it must be confident it won't suffer too much. I guess the important thing here is not to worry about overnight viewing figures too much.

I guess I'm just annoyed because I love both shows and have been eagerly awaiting both. Now I will have to record Downton and watch another time because straight after Spooks airs, I will be on the forums and twitter and then bed for work the next morning.

I hope to god you are right A Cousin. Could this be the BBC showing Kudos that there is still life in the old dog yet, by taking a gamble? I'm not saying Spooks can beat Downton, but if it manages to hold it's own and dents Downton????

One thing for sure is that it will get everyone talking. Who will be watching which show??? The publicity has been created all by itself.

Is this our chance to save Spooks? Has the BBC given us that chance? If we (the viewers) do not turn up at 9pm, then game over for sure.

*goes away to scratch head some more*

yorkshiretyke · 07-09-2011, 05:54 PM

The BBC explaination in the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/sep...nton-abbey

beatrice4ruth · 07-09-2011, 06:12 PM

The explanation of Press Association on yahoo with a beautiful picture of PF:

[u]http:// http://uk.news.yahoo.com/spooks-downton-...27003.html[/url]

xzibit_m · 07-09-2011, 08:13 PM

hey guys, it's already been confirmed it's the last series, and to be honset it could have been on sunday night, well monday morning at 4am, and i'm sure you'd still all watch it... yea the ratings won't be as high as the monday night normal slot, but it really doesn't matter. the show is still going to be exactly the same regardless of the time it is shown on the television.

at least i have a confirmed date and time so i can look forward to it now!! thinking about it now, it really doesn't matter when the show is on, i'll still be watching it Smile

see you on 18th, discussing the first episode no doubt!! Big Grin

Alex

Naivety · 07-09-2011, 09:15 PM

I think we may all be quite surprised, and find that Spooks pulls in more viewers on a Sunday night than a Monday. I bet it beats last year's figures. More people watch TV on a Sunday than any night midweek. It has no evening classes to compete with, no one goes to the supermarket, and not many people go to the pub or clubbing on a Sunday. It won't beat Downton Abbey, but it will make a dent in the 12 million that watched it last year.