Top of the Pops moves from BBC One after ratings fall

For the first time in its 40-year history, the BBC's flagship pop music programme is to be axed from BBC One, with next spring's move to BBC Two including a merger with 'Top of the Pops 2', the channel's archive show aimed at an older audience.

In its new format, the programme will also switch days from its current prime time 7.30pm Friday night slot to Sunday evenings, timed to coincide with BBC Radio 1's traditional unveiling of the latest singles chart.

Roly Keating, BBC Two controller, said: "It's an exciting era for 'Top of the Pops'. We want to make it bigger and better so that it becomes the ultimate pop music show for music lovers of every generation."

The axing of 'Top of the Pops' from BBC One comes just a year after it was revamped by Peters, who brought in a new format and presenters. Neither have fared well -- former MTV presenter Tim Kash was recently axed as the show's host.

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said the move did not mean an end to the channel's support for popular music, citing appearances of new acts on 'Friday Night with Jonathan Ross' and this week's 'Ivor Novello Tribute to Sir Elton John' as examples.

The move to BBC Two from the corporation's main TV channel follows a reported 25% slump in viewers, according to the Daily Mail.

Jana Bennett, director of television at the BBC said: "In the changing world of music and television 'Top of the Pops' will find a stronger home on BBC Two in its new format.

"I believe moving to Two and adapting to a more diverse audience of music lovers is the right evolution of the programme."

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