07.22 | Sky spoils the '24'-hour fun
Excellent article about Sky's treatment of '24' from The Scotsman:
The final episode of series three of Kiefer Sutherland's '24' takes place tonight, so please don't call between 9PM and 10PM. I have been as hooked on the third series about biological terrorism in Los Angeles as I was on the first two. But I must admit that it has lost that feeling of event television since it moved from BBC2 to Sky One.To all those who are still watching on Sky One and who are waiting patiently for tonight's finale, I salute you. Enjoy it while it lasts.The BBC built a cult following for '24' by running it at 10pm on Sunday nights on BBC2, then following up with a sneak preview of next week's episode on BBC3. There was even a discussion programme about that night's shows after that on BBC3 called 'Pure 24'.
Addicts of '24', like me, lapped it up; there was plenty to talk about with fellow fans the next day. (I even gave Sunday night '24' supper parties!) Sky One did none of that and because it was on a satellite channel, fewer people saw it at all.
Nor was Thursday night a good choice: too many of the younger viewers attracted to '24' were out partying; even I had to record most of the episodes because of work commitments.
As a result, the third series has been a bit of a disappointment for Sky One.
But '24's poor ratings are only a symptom of the channel's wider malaise. Ratings for the channel are plummeting because of its over-reliance on American imports and its failure, despite being launched 15 years ago, to develop British programmes of popularity and distinction. One reason I decided to stop running Sky and return full-time to the Sunday Times in 1991 was because Rupert Murdoch refused to invest in British programming. He thought the whole schedule could be filled with US fare. Now I read that the channel is to reinvent itself by going more upmarket via new UK productions.
Indeed, as I write this, an email arrives asking if I'd like to be involved in a new factual show which is part of Sky One’s strategy to relaunch itself as a more upmarket channel targeting a more sophisticated audience. About time, too: after '24' ceases on Thursday night, the only show it has worth watching is 'The Simpsons'.
