Here in the Big Issue
column we take a regular look at the current issues that surround Sky+ and give
our comment and analysis. (Previous articles listed below:)
This article - ITV1 Series Links
Revisited by James Payne
|
Posted on Saturday 27th September 2003 |
ITV1 SERIES LINKS REVISITED
With the introduction
of dual record hopefully now only days away, you could be forgiven for thinking
that this is the most talked about function since the advent of Sky+. There's
no doubt that for new customers, the ability to set two programmes to record at
the same time, is the big seller for Sky. For existing users, who have
experienced the frustration and annoyance of all those delays, dual record
cannot arrive soon enough. Until that day, series links take centre
stage.
We're all aware of the
importance of reliable series links, however although the function is offered
to the broadcaster, they unfortunately fail to live up to the users
expectations. One week the programme can be linked, the following week that
pressing of the green button becomes redundant as its appearance has
mysteriously vanished. On April 16th 2003 the Sky+ software was updated to make
the series links more reliable. Now I'm probably not alone here in saying, that
apart from the occasional onscreen message of "Searching for Series Link ",
they still appear far too erratic! Occasionally when a previously linked
programme takes a break of more than 7 days, you have to count yourself very
lucky if it then reappears back in your planner. Unfortunately more often than
not, the programme remains in isolation and the link's therefore
broken. Now all this fragile
behaviour is totally irrelevant if the series link isn't offered by the
broadcaster in the first place. Considering the series link function has been
available since the introduction of Sky digital, it seems almost unforgivable
for any series not to be accompanied with the green icon.
In June 2003, I compiled an article highlighting how ITV1 handled the series link
function. Unfortunately for them, the results made poor reading and should
have left the broadcaster slightly red faced. Overall they only averaged a
weekly % of 29.22%, with most days showing a severe lack of respect for the
link. On two of the days an additional 22 programmes could have been linked!
These results placed ITV1 in a very shameful 6th position. Although ITV may of
been the last main broadcaster to join the Sky EPG, this alone was no excuse
for their lacklustre performance.
Now being the fair
people we are here at Plusworld, we like to give everyone the opportunity to
redeem themselves. A few weeks ago I revisited BBC1 to see whether their
handling of the series links had improved. To see the full article see
here. Their initial results
deserved higher praise than ITV1, however more praise was endorsed upon them as
they had quite clearly sat up, listened, and acted accordingly. It is now ITV's
turn to demonstrate to us, whether or not they have pulled their socks up and
improved, or just slumped in the corner happy to trail behind everyone else and
become stagnant!!
Below you will see
where I have taken a week from the Sky EPG and listed each days programming. I
shall highlight to you each programme which is linked, and also those which
fail to support the link. Where the programme is not linked I shall support my
findings with whether or not it should have been linked. Finally to tidy up my
facts, where a programme now appears to support the link, I shall then attempt
to inform you as to whether or not this has been added since my first
report.
So sit back, enjoy and let me give you those
percentages you have been craving to see. Between us we will all see whether or
not ITV1 are in this for the quick sprint, or the far more tactically planned
marathon.
I shall then conclude
by comparing my current results with my findings back on 14.07.03
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Monday
8th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00hrs
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red). Where a
link was not offered, I shall then highlight whether the link should have been
offered or not. Next to each linked programme I shall also show whether this
has been added since my first report on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 32 programmes. Of
these 29 were linked, and 3 were not. This equates to
90.63% of programmes being linked, and 9.37% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - Trisha - Linked
10:30 - This Morning - Linked
12:30 - ITV Lunchtime News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
13:00 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked
14:00 - Everything Must Go! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:00 - ITV News Headlines - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
15:15 - Tiny Planets - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
15:20 - Hilltop Hospital - Linked
15:30 - The Flintstones - Linked
16:00 - Globo Loco - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
16:30 - My Parents Are Aliens - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
17:00 - You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - I Want That House - Linked
18:00 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
18:30 - ITV Evening News & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
19:00 - Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 - Coronation Street - Linked
20:00 - Tonight With Trevor McDonald -
Linked
20:30 - Coronation Street - Linked
21:00 - Suspicion - Linked
22:30 - ITV News At Ten - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
23:00 - North Sea Hijack - Not
Linked - Film, no link required
00:50 - (09.09.03) - Champions League -
Linked
01:15 - Football League Extra - Linked
01:55 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
02:45 - Now & Again - Linked
03:30 - Entertainment Now! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
03:55 - Tonight With Trevor McDonald -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
04:20 - ITV Nightscreen - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 3 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
31 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
96.8%, an improvement of 6.17%
Conclusion
Well straight away it is quite clear that ITV1 have made
huge improvements when it comes to handling Series Links. 14 extra links have
been included since the original report on 29.06.03. ITV obviously realise the
importance of the link when it comes to viewers wanting to set their Sky+ to
record. The link covers a whole range of programmes from News bulletins to
daytime consumer programmes to evening entertainment shows. It's also good to
see that the link has been added to repeated programmes that are repeated in
the early hours of the morning. The only downside to ITV1's series link
operation is the failure to link the Regional News programmes
* See final conclusion
for update *
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Tuesday
9th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00hrs
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 29 programmes. Of
these 25 were linked, and 4 were not. This equates to
86.21% of programmes being linked, and 13.79% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - Trisha - Linked
10:30 - This Morning - Linked
12:30 - ITV Lunchtime News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
13:00 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked
14:00 - Everything Must Go! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:00 - ITV News Headlines - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
15:15 - Tiny Planets - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
15:20 - Engie Benjy - Linked
15:30 - What About Mimi - Linked
16:00 - Jungle Run - Linked
16:30 - Pirate Island - Linked
17:00 - You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - I Want That House - Linked
18:00 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
18:30 - ITV Evening News & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
19:00 - Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 - Infested - Not linked -
No Link Required, one off documentary
20:00 - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire -
Linked
21:00 - Suspicion - Linked
22:30 - ITV News At Ten - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
23:00 - The Thin Red Line - Not
Linked - Film, no link required
01:55 - (10.09.03) - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
02:45 - World Sport - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
03:10 - Football League Extra - Linked
03:45 - World Football - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
04:15 - ITV Nightscreen - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 4 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
27 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
93.10%, an improvement of 6.89%
Conclusion
Again this is a great effort by ITV1. Out of the 25
programmes that have been linked, nearly half of these have been additions
since the first report. ITV appear to of sat up and took notice of what the
definition of series links are. Unfortunately the omission of regional news
programmes tends to spoil things slightly, as at the time of putting together
this report, there was no real need for these not to be linked
* See final conclusion
for update *
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For
Wednesday 10th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 31 programmes. Of
these 26 were linked, and 5 were not. This equates to
83.87% of programmes being linked, and 16.13% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - Trisha - Linked
10:30 - This Morning - Linked
12:30 - ITV Lunchtime News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
13:00 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked
14:00 - Everything Must Go! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:00 - ITV News Headlines - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
15:15 - Tiny Planets - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
15:20 - Meg
& Mog - Linked
15:35 -
The Flintstones - Linked
16:05 - Art Attack - Linked
16:30 - My Parents Are Aliens - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
17:00 - You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - I Want That House - Linked
18:00 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
18:30 - ITV Evening News & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
19:00 - Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 - Coronation Street - Linked
20:00 - The Bill - Linked
21:00 - Dante's Peak - Not
linked - Film, no link required
23:00 - ITV News At Ten - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
23:30 - Personal Services - Linked
00:00 - (11.09.03) - Redcoats - Linked
00:30 - CD:UK Hotshots - Linked
00:55 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
01:45 - ITV At The Festivals 2002 - Not linked - No link required, one off repeated
programme
02:35 - The Night Caller - Not Linked - Film, no link required
03:55 - Get
Stuffed - Linked - (Link
has been added since 29.06.03)
04:00 -
ITV Nightscreen - Linked - (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 5 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
28 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
90.32%, an improvement of 6.45%
Conclusion
This is now becoming a familiar pattern, with a loud " well
done " echoing around ITV offices. That magical dozen number appears again,
with additions to the series link family. All the popular ITV programmes are
given the link these days, with satisfaction breeding throughout the family
with links to keep everyone happy, Mums, dads and children alike can rest easy
knowing that their favourite programmes should never be missed. When you take
away the obligatory film or two from the schedules, it only leaves the Regional
news programmes that need that series link injection...............and as I
keep saying....... * See final conclusion for update *
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Thursday
11th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 35 programmes. Of
these 32 were linked, and 3 were not. This equates to
91.43% of programmes being linked, and 8.57% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - Trisha - Linked
10:30 - This Morning - Linked
12:30 - ITV Lunchtime News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
13:00 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked
14:00 - Everything Must Go! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:00 - ITV News Headlines - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
15:15 - Tiny Planets - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
15:20 - Engie Benjy - Linked
15:30 -
SpongeBob SquarePants - Linked
16:00 -
Starfinder - Linked
16:30 -
Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius - Linked
17:00 - You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - I Want That House - Linked
18:00 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
18:30 - ITV Evening News & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
19:00 - Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 -
Animal Tales - Linked
20:00 - The Bill - Linked
21:00 - Sweet Medicine - Linked
22:00 - ITV News At Ten - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
22:30 - The Real Red Caps - Not
Linked - No Link required, last in current
series
23:00 - Tarrant On TV - Linked
23:30 - Ghostly Tales Of The Unexpected -
Linked
00:00 - (12.09.03) - The District -
Linked
00:50 - Turn On Terry - Linked - (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
01:15 - The Chemical Brothers In Profile -
Linked
01:40 - The Machine - Linked
02:05 - Cybernet - Linked
02:35 - Motorsport UK - Linked - (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
03:00 - Trisha - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
03:55 - Get Stuffed - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
04:00 -
ITV Nightscreen - Linked - (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 3 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
34 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
97.14%, an improvement of 5.71%
Conclusion
Well again ITV1 show their growing commitment to the link,
by offering the service to all possible programmes apart from the 2 Regional
News programmes * See
final conclusion for update * and
the last showing of a series (which obviously couldn't of been linked). In
total their were 13 programmes that have had the link added since my first
report on 29.06.03.
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Friday
12th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 36 programmes. Of
these 33 were linked, and 3 were not. This equates to
91.67% of programmes being linked, and 8.33% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - Trisha - Linked
10:30 - This Morning - Linked
12:30 - ITV Lunchtime News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
13:00 - Today With Des & Mel -
Linked
14:00 - Everything Must Go! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:00 - ITV News Headlines - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
15:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
15:15 - Tiny Planets - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
15:20 - Hilltop Hospital - Linked
15:30 - The Flintstones - Linked
16:00 -
Rescue Robots - Linked
16:30 - Sabrina The Teenage Witch -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
17:00 - You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - I Want That House - Linked
18:00 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
18:30 - ITV Evening News & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
19:00 - Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 - Coronation Street - Linked
20:00 - Tonight With Trevor McDonald -
Linked
20:30 - Airline - Linked
21:00 - Rosemary & Tyme - Linked
22:00 - Des O'Connor With Jo
Brand - Not Linked - No Link Required, one off
programme
22:30 - ITV Weekend News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
23:00 - Playing Up - Linked
23:30 - Losing It - Linked
00:00 - (13.09.03) - F1: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying -
Linked
01:20 - Love Match - Linked
01:50 - Dare To Believe - Linked
02:20 - Entertainment Now! - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
02:50 -
CD:UK Hotshots - Linked
03:15 - MixMasters - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
03:40 - Garbage In Profile - Linked
04:05 - World Football - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
04:30 -
Tonight With Trevor McDonald - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 3 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
35 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
97.22%, an improvement of 5.55%
Conclusion
On this occasion ITV1 added 13 links to programmes
broadcast, compared to the original report. The usual 2 programmes failed to
provide links * See
final conclusion for update * and
the only other programme that failed to carry the link was an additional one
off programme that was put into the schedules at the last minute. ITV are
really showing how easy it is to provide links to their ever popular
programmes, making it so much easier for Sky+ users to set their desired
programmes, safe in the knowledge that they will be added to the Sky+ planner
the following week.
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Saturday
13th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 28 programmes. Of
these 25 were linked, and 3 were not. This equates to
89.29% of programmes being linked, and 10.71% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - SMTV
Live - Linked
11:30 -
CD:UK - Linked
12:30 - ITV
News & Weather - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
12:35 - Anglia News & Weather
- Not Linked - Should
be linked, on every day
12:40 - F1: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying -
Linked
14:10 - On The Ball - Linked
15:00 - British Touring Cars - Linked
16:00 - The Goal Rush - Linked
17:05 - Anglia News &
Weather - Not Linked - Should be linked, on every day
17:20 - ITV News Sport & Weather -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
17:30 - The Pitts - Linked
18:00 - Celebrities Under Pressure -
Linked
19:00 - Pop Idol - Linked
20:00 - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire -
Linked
21:00 - ITV Weekend News - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
21:15 - Pop Idol Results - Linked
21:30 - Design Wars - Linked
22:30 - The Premiership - Linked
00:00 - (14.09.03) - History Of The Rugby World Cup -
Linked
00:55 - The Trail Of The Pink
Panther - Not Linked - Film, no link
required
02:30 - CD:UK - Linked
- (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
03:20 - Turn On Terry - Linked - (Link has been added since
29.06.03)
03:45 - Entertainment Now - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
04:15 - Cybernet - Linked
04:40 - Get Stuffed - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
04:50 - ITV Nightscreen - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV Early Morning News -
Linked - (Link has
been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 3 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
27 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
96.43%, an improvement of 7.14%
Conclusion
Again another full round for ITV1 as the link is played to
nearly its full potential. Apart from the usual two programmes
* See final conclusion for update *
and the customary Saturday evening film, all the programmes from 06:00 were
linked. Back on 29.06.03 3/4 of the sporting programmes were not on due to the
end of the season, however it's good to see that they have been linked,
likewise The Premiership which is on at 22:30hrs.
Update to ITV1's (103) Series Link Behaviour For Sunday
14th September 2003 for 24hrs from 06:00
Below you will see that I have listed all the programmes
starting from 06:00hrs. You will find all the programmes that were linked, and
all those that were not (marked in Red ). Where a link was not offered, I shall then
highlight whether the link should have been offered or not. Next to each linked
programme I shall also show whether this has been added since my first report
on 29.06.03.
In this 24hr period ITV1 broadcast 26 programmes. Of
these 20 were linked, and 6 were not. This equates to
76.92% of programmes being linked, and 23.08% not being
linked.
06:00 - GMTV - Linked - (Link has been
added since 29.06.03)
09:25 - The
Premiership - Linked
10:30 -
Fingertips - Linked - (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
10:40 - The
Little Bang - Linked
10:50 - My
Favourite Hymns - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
11:50 - ITV
News & Weather - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
12:00 - Anglia News & Weather
- Not Linked - Should
be linked, on every day
12:05 - F1:
Italian Grand Prix Live - Linked
14:50 - Live & Let Die - Not Linked - Film, no link required
17:00 -
You've Been Framed - Linked
17:30 - Anglia News & Weather
- Not Linked - Should
be linked, on every day
17:45 -
Going Home - Linked
18:15 - ITV
News & Weather - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
18:30 - Coronation Street : Love Triangle - Not Linked -
No Link Required, one off
programme
19:00 -
Emmerdale - Linked
19:30 -
Coronation Street - Linked
20:00 -
Heartbeat - Linked
21:00 - A
Touch Of Frost - Linked
23:05 - ITV
Weekend News - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
23:20 - F1 : Italian Grand Prix Highlights - Not Linked -
No Link Required, one off
programme
00:20 -
(15.09.03) - Whose Right Is It Anyway - Linked
00:50 - Kings Go Forth - Not Linked - Film, no link required
02:45 -
Trisha - Linked - (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
03:40 -
World Sport - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
04:10 - ITV
Nightscreen - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
05:30 - ITV
Early Morning News - Linked
- (Link has been added since 29.06.03)
Out of the remaining 6 programmes that were not
linked, 2 could have been linked, which would have given a new total of
22 programmes linked. This would then have given a new daily % of
84.65%, an improvement of 7.73%
Conclusion
Well here we are at the end of my weeks analysis, and ITV
have ended the same way as they began, and that's with high praise
indeed. Of the 20 programmes that were linked 10 have been added since my
original report. From the remaining 6 programmes that were not linked, 4 did
not require any link, leaving only the now familiar 2 x regional news
programmes * See
final conclusion for update *
Overall Conclusion to ITV1's Handling Of The Series Link
Function, W/C 08.09.03 from 06:00hrs
Well there we are, the completion
of my second visit to ITV1. Have they improved when it comes to series links,
well lets take a look. On the 29.06.03 when I carried out my first report I
have to say how poor ITV were. The impression I was actually given was, if it's
not a well known programme then you can forget about the link. This attitude
certainly came to the fore when I equated each daily number to a series link
percentage. Back on 29.06.03, over the course of the week they broadcast 219
programmes. Of these, only 64 programmes could be linked. This equated to a
very poor 29.22%. This % was so poor it meant that ITV1 came in 6th position
when compared with BBC1, BBC2, Channel 4,Five and Sky1. At the time I then
calculated what the actual % could have been had they of linked all the
programmes that could have offered the series link function. This result was
quite astonishing as I found that 134 more programmes could have been linked.
This would have equated to 61.19%, resulting in a new weekly % of 90.41%. Had
they of given the link this respect, it would have resulted in the broadcaster
coming in third instead of last place.
Well that was then. Lets
concentrate on now. Below you will find the complete list of programmes that
are now linked, compared to my original report when they were not
linked.
GMTV
ITV Lunchtime
News
Everything Must
Go
ITV News
Headlines
Tiny Planets
Globo Loco
My Parents Are
Aliens
ITV Evening News &
Weather
ITV News At Ten
Repeat Showing of Today with
Des & Mel
Entertainment
Now!
Repeat Showing of Tonight With
Trevor McDonald
ITV Nightscreen
ITV Early Morning
News
World Sport
World Football
Get Stuffed
Motorsport UK
Repeat Showing of
Trisha
Sabrina The Teenage
Witch
ITV Weekend
News
MixMasters
Repeat Showing of
CD:UK
Turn On Terry
Fingertips
My Favourite
Hymns
Well as you can see from above,
ITV have certainly made great efforts to provide the series link to almost most
of their programmes. With all the above programmes being linked, alongside all
the ever popular programmes that have always been linked, ITV are certainly
pushing for that top spot.
Missing Series
Links
Well apart from the usual films
and one off programmes and last showings that fill the schedules from time to
time, the only programmes that failed to offer the link were the Regional
News Programmes. These programmes fill 2/3 slots during each day and
therefore should be linked. As EPG no. 103 is dependant on the users postcode,
the main Regional News showing is offered dependant on where you live. Had
these of been linked, ITV could have proudly boasted that every programme in
their schedule that could be linked is indeed linked.
* STOP PRESS
*
Upon completion of this report, I
am pleased to inform you that ITV1 now offer the series link function to all
their Regional News programmes.
Best Days For Series Links
(Actual)
1st - Friday 12th September = 91.67%
2nd - Thursday 11th September = 91.43%
3rd - Monday 8th September = 90.63%
4th - Saturday 13th September = 89.29%
5th - Tuesday 9th September = 86.21%
6th - Wednesday 10th September = 83.87%
7th - Sunday 14th September = 76.92%
Worst Days For Links
(Actual)
1st - Sunday 14th
September = 23.08%
2nd - Wednesday
10th September = 16.13%
3rd - Tuesday 9th September = 13.79%
4th - Saturday 13th
September = 10.71%
5th - Monday 8th
September = 9.37%
6th - Thursday 11th
September = 8.57%
7th - Friday 12th
September = 8.33%
The above shows the results and
placings of each days actual Series Link %.
Below you will see the same
chart, however this time I have taken into account the programmes that were not
linked, and if they were able to be linked, incorporating them in my
results.
Best Days For Series Links
(Possible)
1st - Friday 12th September = 97.22% increase of
5.55%
2nd - Thursday 11th September = 97.14% increase of
5.71%
3rd - Monday 8th
September = 96.8% increase of 6.17%
4th - Saturday 13th September = 96.43% increase of
7.14%
5th - Tuesday 9th September = 93.10% increase of 6.89%
6th - Wednesday 10th September = 90.32% increase of
6.45%
7th - Sunday 14th September = 84.65% increase of 7.73%
Worst Days For Series Links
(Possible)
1st - Sunday 14th
September = 15.35%
2nd - Wednesday 10th September = 9.68%
3rd - Tuesday 9th September = 6.9%
4th - Saturday 13th September = 3.57%
5th - Monday 8th
September = 3.2%
6th - Thursday 11th September = 2.86%
7th - Friday 12th September = 2.78%
Over the course of the week ITV1
actually broadcast 217 programmes. Of these 190 were linked. This
equates to an actual weekly % of 87.56% of programmes being
linked.
This leaves over the course of
the week 27 programmes not being linked. This equates to 12.44%
of programmes not being linked.
Had ITV1 of linked all those
Regional News programmes over the course of the week, a possible 204
programmes would have been linked. This would have equated to 94% of
programmes being linked.
This would have left 13
programmes unable to be linked, which would have equated to 5.99%
So there we are, in all one would say an excellent
achievement and improvement by ITV1. Back in June when the first analysis was
carried out ITV1 were only averaging a very poor 29.22% of their
programmes being linked. This is now compared with a total of 87.56% of
their programmes being linked. Should ITV1 sort out the regional news issue
(which of course now they have!!!!) the total of programmes linked would
be 94%, compared to 90.41% back in June. What this means is, ITV1
have improved their series link service to Sky+ users by 58.34%.
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