How did British schedules adjust to death of HM Queen Elizabeth II?
BBC moved shows to its secondary channel, ITV proceeds with Saturday night entertainment.
- Published by David Knox
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While Australian channels have been dominated by rolling coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, how did British television schedules compare?
As of Friday, BBC One’s schedule was scrapped in favour of rolling news coverage.
Entertainment shows including EastEnders, Doctors, Bargain Hunt, Garden Rescue have been temporarily re-homed on BBC Two. Shows that were previously set to air on BBC Two during the day have been pulled from the schedule. UK viewers can expect to see this continue over the weekend and into next week. Good Morning Britain aired its first-ever Saturday show.
ITV suspended commercials running during the channel’s royal coverage but it chose to proceed with Saturday night entertainment shows: Ninja Warrior UK: Race for Glory, The Masked Dancer, The Voice UK and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
All were recorded prior to the death of the monarch.
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that its schedules will be subject to change during the period of national mourning, which is said to last just under two weeks.
Source: Daily Star
6 Responses
The National Television Awards, the UK equivalent of the Logies, which had been scheduled to air live on Thursday night, have now been postponed until October in light of the Queen’s death.
Thanks for that! Makes sense.
On Channel 4 Gogglebox still screened but The Last Leg was cancelled completely which screens after it.
The Last Leg is aired live. A live show doing comedy with a studio audience wouldn’t have been appropriate last Friday.
It’s not only the rescheduling on its own that can be taken into account. If the contents of a particular episode or show doesn’t reflect the mood, that can affect whether it is broadcast at this time of mourning.
Thursday night, BBC One and Two, BBC Scotland and Alba were all simulcasting BBC News. BBC Three and Four were totally suspended (just a static slate advising to tune into BBC One).
Tonight’s Last Night of the Proms has also been cancelled.