ITV unveils football-heavy autumn schedule

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 13-Aug-08, 11:10

LONDON - ITV is banking on live football, a new musical drama called 'Britannia High' and terrestrial premieres including 'King Kong' to spearhead an autumn revival.

The commercial broadcaster will show live FA Cup matches and England international football fixtures from this autumn for the first time in addition to UEFA Champions League matches.

The drama line-up is led by new commissions 'Caught In A Trap', starring West End actress Connie Fisher, and 'Britannia High'.

'Britannia High' follows the fortunes of six students at a leading performing arts school, while one-off drama commission 'Caught in A Trap' stars Fisher as a young woman obsessed by Elvis Presley.

ITV1 is also launching a brand new entertainment variety spectacular called 'For One Night Only' and also welcomes back 'Divas 2'. 'The X Factor' returns this weekend with the first appearance by new judge Cheryl Cole.

'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' will also return, as do comedians Harry Hill and Al Murray with 'TV Burp' and 'Pub Landlord'.

Peter Fincham, director of programmes at ITV, said: "We are kicking off the autumn with the best of national and international football -- ITV1 will be the home of the FA Cup, England Internationals and the UEFA Champions League for the next four years.

"ITV.com/football will also be our online football oracle, complementing our massive on-air offering with exclusive video highlights and post-match interviews, specially commissioned content, blogs, games and forums."

Hollywood movies 'King Kong' and 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' will also be shown for the first time on terrestrial television.

Comments

Giles Stafford - 13/08/2008

What about the large proportion of the population who are turned off by football and reality TV? Oh yes, I forgot. There's quality channels like the BBC, C4 et al. ITV really isn't making the effort to shake its 'budget' reputation.